Surname Telford - Meaning and Origin
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Telford: What does the surname Telford mean?
The surname Telford is of Scottish origin, derived from the Old English words "taefl," meaning "table" and "ford," meaning "ford." It is a habitational name, indicating it was likely first bestowed on families or individuals residing near a notable river crossing or ford that had a flat, table-like stone on its bank. The name became well-known through a famous civil engineer, Thomas Telford, who significantly contributed to the development of infrastructure in Britain during the 19th century. It's important to note that last names can have different origins and meanings across different cultures and regions, thus the meaning might deviate in other contexts. Symbolically, the name Telford can be interpreted as a person who plays a crucial linking role, much like the vital role of a ford in connecting lands divided by a river.
Order DNA origin analysisTelford: Where does the name Telford come from?
Telford is an English surname that originated in Shropshire, a county in the West Midlands of England. It is thought to have been derived from the Middle English word for "tilford," referring to the ford of a stream that was filled with til, a type of woody grass.
The surname is still quite common today, with over 11,000 people bearing the name in England and Wales alone. Besides Shropshire, it is also very popular in nearby Wiltshire, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire, as well as a handful of other counties throughout the United Kingdom. It also spread to countries such as the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
In the United States, Telford is the 6,739th most common surname in 2020, according to the US Census Bureau. It is most concentrated in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. The spelling 'Telfords' is also quite popular in the US, with over 4,200 people using it as of 2020.
Telford is an old and distinguished surname that has stood the test of time. It's likely to keep increasing in popularity throughout the world, especially in the United States and other parts of the English-speaking world.
Variations of the surname Telford
The surname Telford is an old English clan name of Norse-Viking origin that derives from the Old Norse þel-firðir, which translates to mean “slope-ford”. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are Telfer, Telforde, Talford, Telfort, Telferd, Tallford, Telferd, Tailford, Talferd and Telferde.
The Telford surname is commonly associated with the Scottish and the English. It originates in the northern English border regions, particularly near the city of Carlisle. There is a significant concentration of the name in Scotland, primarily in the Borders and Dumfries regions. These variations may also be found in Ireland, particularly in counties Fermanagh and Cavan.
In the United States, the Telford surname can be traced back to colonial America, specifically to the states of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Telford emigrants into America brought their name with them in various forms, including Telfurt, as listed in the naturalization records of Louisiana in 1785.
The Telford surname is most commonly associated with the borders of Scotland and England, but can easily be found in many other places around the world due to its global migration over the years. It is believed to come from a place in West Yorkshire that is located on the River Aire.
Famous people with the name Telford
- Tommy Telford: Scottish footballer
- Joanne Telford: Olympic swimmer
- Jean-Michel Telford: Grammy-nominated rapper
- James Telford: British comedian
- Richard Telford: Television presenter
- Bruce Telford: Actor
- Daniel Telford: Musician
- Jack Telford: YouTube celebrity
- Stan Telford: respected historian
- Steve Telford: professional golfer
- Bernadette Telford: dance instructor
- Jack Telford: British YouTuber
- Sarah Telford: author
- Tony Telford: AFL Hall of Fame inductee
- Bernie Telford: painter
- Keith Telford: magazine editor
- Emma Telford: singer-songwriter
- Peter Telford: award-winning composer
- Ryan Telford: Olympic medalist
- Andrew Telford: visual artist