Byford is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English words "beo" meaning bee and "ford" meaning ford or crossing. The name is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for someone who lived near a beehive or beekeeping area. Over time, Byford has also been adopted as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.
The earliest recorded spelling of the surname is believed to date back to the late 13th century, with the appearance of a Robert Byford in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. The Hundred Rolls were census records taken by King Edward I during his reign from 1272 to 1307.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Byford. One of the most famous is Henry Byford-Jones (1895-1964), an English travel writer and journalist who was known for his adventurous spirit and colorful accounts of his travels around the world. Another notable figure is William Byford (1752-1814), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars.
Today, Byford remains a relatively uncommon surname and given name, but it continues to be used by families around the world. It's a strong, distinctive name with a rich history dating back centuries in England.
The name Byford has seen a varied history of usage in the United States over the past century or so. The earliest recorded birth was in 1914, with six babies given the name that year. This number increased to eleven in 1915, suggesting a brief period of popularity for the name during these early years.
However, after 1917, the number of births with the name Byford began to fluctuate more widely, with totals ranging from five to seven per year until 1928. This suggests that while there were periods where the name was used more frequently, it did not become consistently popular during this time.
From 1930 onwards, the number of births with the name Byford remained relatively stable, with a total of 55 recorded between then and 1943. This is an average of approximately five births per year over these thirteen years. While this may seem like a low number overall, it indicates that there has been some steady usage of the name Byford in the United States during this period.
In conclusion, while Byford has not been one of the most popular names in the United States over the past century, it has nonetheless seen consistent use throughout this time. With a total of 109 recorded births since 1914, the name Byford can be considered somewhat uncommon but not entirely rare.