Surname Thomford - Meaning and Origin
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Thomford: What does the surname Thomford mean?
The last name Thomford is believed to be of English origin. It is generally understood to mean a person with a surname derived from Thomas and the Viking word "ford," meaning a shallow crossing or crossing point for a river.
According to sources in the United Kingdom, the surname Thomford may have been primarily found in Westmoreland and the region of Lancashire in the 13th century. While the origins of the name are still unclear, the surname was first documented as a family in Westmoreland in the 16th century.
The meaning of the name Thomford is believed to have derived from an Old Norse term, "thorfodr," meaning "river ford." This may refer to an individual who lived near a ford across a river, possibly providing vital transport links across the region.
The name Thomford is still widely found throughout England and Wales. It may be also found in Ireland and in other countries settled by emigrants from the United Kingdom, especially in North America, Canada, and Australia.
The last name Thomford is a proud reminder of the rich history and tradition of Great Britain, with the name standing as a marker of old England and its proud, ancient heritage. The name Thomford is a noble and traditional one, suitable for individuals who are proud of their English roots.
Order DNA origin analysisThomford: Where does the name Thomford come from?
The last name Thomford is not particularly common, but people with the name can be found in a few countries around the world. In the United States, the name is most likely to appear in the Midwest and East Coast states, as well as in California and Texas. In Europe, it is most often found in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, and Italy. It is also possible to find the name in some parts of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and South America.
The last name Thomford is likely derived from an Anglo-Saxon term, with the name traditionally being associated with the ancestral homeland of the clan. It is derived from the words “thom,” meaning a valley, and “ford,” meaning a ford. Thus, the name literally means “valley ford,” and could mean either a ford in a valley or a ford at a river passing through a valley. The most likely explanation is that the surname originated in an area where a family maintained a ford over a river in a valley, such as on a major trade route.
The name Thomford is not overwhelmingly common nowadays, but records indicate that it has held steady over the centuries, meaning that there are many generations of Thomfords across the world in the current day.
Variations of the surname Thomford
The variants and spellings of the surname Thomford vary, depending on culture and dialect. The most common variants, spellings, and surnames sharing the same origin as Thomford include:
Tomford
Tomphord
Tomforde
Tumford
Thumford
Thompford
Thomforde
Thumped
Thumbed
Thomphford
Thomfod
Thamford
Thampford
In Ireland, the name is often spelled Thomthorpe or Tumforde, while in the United States, the spelling is often Tomford or Tomphford. In Scotland, the name can be spelled Thumford. Those in England typically spell it Thomford or Thomforde.
In other areas, such as Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, the name can be spelled Thomfeen or Tomasford. In France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the name is spelled Tumfourd.
Variants of Thomford are also commonly found in Scotland, such as Thamford, Thumbed, and Thumped. In some Scandinavian countries, the name is spelled with a double letter 'n' such as Thompforden, Thompfordson, and Thomperfurd.
Overall, the most common variants, spellings, and surnames of Thomford vary depending on geographical location and can often be easily confused.
Famous people with the name Thomford
- Bruce Thomford: a professional Canadian football player who played defensive end for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
- Daniel Thomford: a retired professional Canadian football player who played defensive lineman for the BC Lions.
- Mark Thomford: an actor who has appeared in films such as Toy Story 4 and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
- Robert Thomford: a former professional American football player who played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Brett Thomford: an actor who has appeared in shows such as True Blood and Grey’s Anatomy.
- Maggie Thomford: a former professional beauty pageant contestant who competed in Miss South Carolina USA Pageant.
- Charles Thomford: a former professional baseball player who played for the New York Yankees.
- Bobby Thomford: a retired professional basketball player who played for the San Antonio Spurs.
- Jerry Thomford: a former professional football player who played for the San Diego Chargers.
- Courtney Thomford: a professional model, singer, and actress who has appeared in shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Chicago Fire.