PLAYFORD
Playford
Playford is a surname of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period in Britain. It is believed to be of locational origin, derived from the Old English word 'plegn' meaning 'gaming' or 'sport', combined with 'ford', referring to a shallow part of a river that is suitable for crossing.
The name Playford is closely associated with the village of Playford in Suffolk, East Anglia. The village is known for its historic church and manor house, and has a rich agricultural heritage. It is likely that families living in or around Playford adopted the name as a way to identify their place of origin.
Over the centuries, the Playford surname has spread beyond Suffolk to other parts of England and the world, carried by descendants of the original bearers. Notable individuals with the surname Playford include John Playford (1623–1686), a prominent English music publisher and bookseller known for his collections of dance music.
Today, the surname Playford remains relatively rare but continues to be borne by families with diverse backgrounds and histories. It is a reminder of the rich tapestry of British surnames and the connections they hold to specific locations and traditions.
There are approximately 1,451 people named Playford in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,486th most common surname in Britain. Around 22 in a million people in Britain are named Playford.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Anthony
- Brendan
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Martin
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Ann
- Anne
- Carol
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Julie
- Karen
- Linda
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Susan
- Victoria