Surname Standford - Meaning and Origin
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Standford: What does the surname Standford mean?
The surname Standford is of English origin and is generally considered a topographical surname. It is derived from Old English words "stan," meaning "stone" and "ford," meaning "ford" or a shallow river crossing. Therefore, the name Standford can be understood to mean "stony ford" or "the stone crossing on a river". It is likely the name referred to families or individuals who lived near or by a rocky river crossing in medieval England. Like many European surnames, it's also possible that it referred to a specific place called Stan(ford) in England. The varied spellings of the surname include Stanford, Sandford, and Stanforth, among several others. The geographic or topographic nature of such surnames provides a link to the family's ancient roots and historic dwelling place.
Order DNA origin analysisStandford: Where does the name Standford come from?
The last name Standford is one of the oldest and most widespread surnames in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, with origins in the medieval period. This name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, taken from the phrase "stony ford." The tin-mining area of Cornwall, England, was once largely populated by individuals with the surname Standford.
Today, the Standford surname can still be found in some parts of England and Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. In the United States, Standford is the 34th most common surname, primarily located in the states of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In England, Wales, and Ireland, the surname is most common in the counties of Devon, Norfolk, Hampshire, and Yorkshire.
In Scotland, the Standford surname is generally absent, except for those who have migrated there at a later date. In Canada, places like Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary are home to people with the last name Standford. In Australia, the Standford name is particularly popular in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Given its ancient roots, the Standford surname is found in many countries throughout the world. Its longevity attests to the fact that it is both unique and enduring.
Variations of the surname Standford
Standford is a surname of English origin. It is derived from an area in the county of Dorset, England that was originally spelt "Staundonforda" in the Old English language and simply means "stony ford". The variants of the surname Standford include Staunford, Stannford, Stantford, Staniford, Stanford, Stanforth, and Stonford.
Spellings of the surname Standford can also vary slightly. It has been documented that the surname appears as Staunford, Stanifard, Stannford and Staniford in 12th century records. The Americanized spelling of Stanford became standard in the 19th century. There are also various spellings across Europe, such as Stanfords, in the Netherlands, and Staunfords in Germany.
Various surnames which may be descended from the Standford family include Stanfield, Stansfield, Stanforde, Stantfield, and Staniforth. Forms of the surname may also have been adopted by French or Irish immigrants, resulting in variants such as Stanfielde, Stantyfield, Stantiff, Staneforth, and Staniforth.
In summary, variants of Standford include Staunford, Stannford, Stantford, Staniford, Stanford, Stanforth, and Stonford. Spellings of Standford may vary slightly, such as Staunford, Stanifard, Stannford, Staniford, and Stanford. Descendant surnames of Standford may include Stanfield, Stansfield, Stanforde, Stantfield, and Staniforth, as well as Stanfielde, Stantyfield, Stantiff, Staneforth, and Staniforth.
Famous people with the name Standford
- Leland Stanford: Former California Governor, US Senator, railway tycoon, and founder of Stanford University.
- Reese Stanford: An American soccer player.
- Peter Stanford: A British author, broadcaster and former newspaper editor and charity chief executive.
- Major-General Robert Standford: Former Royal Air Force Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.
- Sally Standford: A former madam and brothel owner in San Francisco.
- Don Standford: A former American football player.
- Jack Standford: A former Canadian politician.
- Sam Standford: An American stand-up comedian.
- Ellis Standford: An English-born Canadian ice hockey player.
- Edward Standford: An American basketball coach.
- Rachael Stanford: A Canadian actress.
- Roger Standford: An American Jazz Pianist and Musical Director.
- Laura Standford: A Canadian TV and film actress.
- Jonathan Standford: A former Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature in England and Wales.
- Gabriel Standford: An American singer/songwriter.
- Frank Standford: An American poet and novelist.
- Jessie Standford: An American singer/songwriter.
- Spencer Standford: An American author and historian.
- David Standford: An American sportscaster.
- Norman Standford: An American film and television actor.