Surname Tedford - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Tedford: What does the surname Tedford mean?
The surname Tedford is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is primarily linked to Britain and Scotland. The derivation is from the Olde English pre-7th Century personal name "Theodfrith" which is composed of the elements "theudo", meaning people or race, and "fridu", which means peace. Hence, the surname could be interpreted as "peace of the people". The name has been subject to several spelling variations over time including Theodfrid, Tetford and others, eventually modernizing to its contemporary form as Tedford. Like many other surnames of old English origin, it is possible that it started as a baptismal name "the son of Theodfrid" before it evolved into a familial surname. As surnames began to be used, it could have also been employed as a topographic name for people who resided near a notable landmark such as a ford, a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or ride across. The distribution of the Tedford surname is widespread, but it remains most common in Great Britain.
Order DNA origin analysisTedford: Where does the name Tedford come from?
Tedford is a family name that has a long and varied history around the globe. The surname is most commonly associated with the British Isles, especially England, Scotland, and Ireland, where it remains in use today. It is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries, indicating its spread through emigration.
In terms of England, the Tedford family can be traced back to the time of the Norman Conquest, when they were established in several parts of the country. Records from that period include people with the Tedford name living in Yorkshire, Norfolk, Somersetshire, and Shropshire, among other places. The Tedfords were often prominent figures in the local areas where they lived, with some prominent members of the family holding titles of nobility.
Today there are still numerous people with the last name Tedford living in England and the United Kingdom, including both those descended from the first family to hold the name and those who adopted the name more recently. It is also an increasingly common name across the globe, as people of British origin moved to other countries in search of a better life.
Variations of the surname Tedford
The Tedford surname has a few different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It can be spelled variously as Tedford, Tedforde, Tedeford,Tedforde, Tedeforth, or Tedford. There are also variations on the spelling such as Teadford, Teyford and Tydford.
The Tedford surname originates from England, and is derived from the Old English 'tod' which means fox, and 'ford' which means a river crossing. This suggests that the surname originated from someone who lived near a river crossed by a fox. It is likely that the surname emerged as a topographical name or a local name referring to an area with such features.
The surname can also be a variant of other names, such as Tait, which derives from the Old Norse 'teitr' meaning cheerful. It is likely that over time the spelling of the surname changed to its current form.
The Tedford surname can be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Australia. It is most plentiful in England, where it ranks 1,680th in popularity, and Scotland, where it ranks 4,317th in popularity.
The Tedford family can be found in records dating back to the mid-1600s in England. There are records of John Tedford marrying Margaret Simmonds in Bristol in 1649, and of Henry Todeford, married in 1589, in Shropshire, England.
In conclusion, the Tedford surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It originated in England and has spread to many other countries. Records of the family can be found dating back to the 1600s.
Famous people with the name Tedford
- Jeff Tedford: football coach and former player who was previously the head coach at Fresno State, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Idaho.
- Chris Tedford: Canadian actor and screenwriter who was part of the CBC production team for "The Hour".
- Bruce Tedford: broadcaster and former CFL quarterback who helped lead the Edmonton Eskimos to a Grey Cup victory in 1982.
- Mike Tedford: former MLB outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox.
- Donald Tedford: American actor and producer best known for his roles in Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York and Mystery Hunters.
- Joe Tedford: American Negro League baseball hitter known as one of baseball's premier power hitters during the first half of the 20th century.
- LaVell Tedford: American college football coach and former offensive coordinator at Brigham Young University and offensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota.
- Bob Tedford: American actor who has appeared in many films and television series, including Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Hangover.
- Scott Tedford: American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has released two solo albums.
- Sarah Tedford: professional golfer on the LPGA tour and winner of the 2016 LET NetworkXAgro Ladies Open.