Surname Teadford - Meaning and Origin
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Teadford: What does the surname Teadford mean?
The last name Teadford is an anglicized spelling of an Old English surname that originated in England and has been in use since at least the 12th century. The name likely derives from the words “tead” + “ford” and can be translated to mean “ford by a meadow.”
During the Middle Ages in England, surnames were used to help distinguish one family, estate, or village from the others. Many English surnames are derived from the country’s vast topography, and the name Teadford is no exception. Additionally, this surname is found in the county of Devon in southwest England, suggesting that the surname may have originated there.
Today, the name is found more frequently in the United States than it is in England. As a result, many people who carry this last name can trace their family lineage back through America’s rich genealogical history. Those who may have the surname are likely proud of their heritage and often seek out its origin.
The last name Teadford has come to stand for those who came before them and the legacy of hard work and determination that they carried on. Regardless of its original meaning, those who carry the name are sure to carry on the accomplishments of their forefathers.
Order DNA origin analysisTeadford: Where does the name Teadford come from?
The surname Teadford is most commonly found today in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It originated in north-central England and is derived from the Old English words 'teth' meaning strong or powerful, and 'ford' meaning a shallow passage allowing people or animals to cross a body of water. The surname is quite rare and has low concentrations in particular locations. Those that do exist are mostly found in central and northern England and parts of eastern Scotland.
In England, it is primarily found in the historic counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The largest numbers are in Lancashire, especially in the city of Preston, and in the Yorkshire Dales region, where it has become an integral part of the local population. In Scotland, the surname is most commonly found in Aberdeen, with smaller clusters in Edinburgh and the Borders. Black's Surname Dictionary lists the most notable bearers of the name as the Teadfords of Preston, Lancashire, the Teadfords of Ackworth Hall in Yorkshire, and the Teadfords of Bridgend in south-western Scotland.
The surname Teadford is not widely spread throughout other parts of the world, though there are small numbers in the United States of America. The most notable bearers are military personnel who served in the American Revolutionary War, such as William Teadford of Virginia who fought in the Georgia militia. In Canada, small numbers are present in the Maritime Provinces, especially Nova Scotia.
Variations of the surname Teadford
Teadford is a surname of English origin, from the Old English pre-seventh century male personal name Teodford. It is believed to have derived from an early Germanic personal name, and it is possible that the 'd' of Teadford was originally an 'e'.
Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Teedford, Teddford, Teadford, Teodford, Teadforth, Tedford, and Teddaford.
Teadford can also be found as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac an tSaoir, which is 'son of the carpenter'. The modern Irish versions of the name are Mac an Tsaoir, which means 'son of the carpenter' and Mac an tSaoire, which means 'son of the understanding one'. It is derived from the Gaelic word 'saoir', which means both 'carpenter' and 'cunning'.
The surname can be found as Teedford, a variant spelling of the surname Teadford. It is also found as Teeford which is a variant of Teadford, and Todford, which is derived from Teodford and is a variant spelling. Teadford is also found as a variant of the Welsh surname Teify, which is derived from the personal name Teifi.
Tiephford is another variant spelling of Teadford and was originally a combination of the personal name Tiëf (generally a diminution of Theodoric) and the Old English 'ford', meaning a shallow river crossing.
In conclusion, the variants and surnames of the same origin for the surname Teadford include: Teedford, Teddford, Teadford, Teodford, Teadforth, Tedford, Teddaford, Mac an tSaoir, Teeford, Todford, Teify, and Tiephford.
Famous people with the name Teadford
- Taylor Bradford: American actor, singer, and musician.
- Douglas Bradford: British author and diplomat.
- Thomas Bradford: American sports physician and ESPN columnist.
- William Bradford: early American colonist and Mayflower passenger.
- Annabel Teadford: British writer and Radio 2 broadcaster.
- George Teadford: English philosopher, educator, and journalist.
- Edward Teadford: former Executive Director of the Marine Corps Combat Corps.
- Justin Teadford: Canadian actor, rapper, and singer.
- Nick Teadford: American football player and Grammy-nominated producer.
- Derek Teadford: English actor and television presenter.