Show ContentsEfford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Efford family

The surname Efford was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, [1] indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Heyford, held by Roger from the Baron Robert d'Oilly who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. The Baron came from Ouilly le Basset near Falaise and he was a trusted follower of William the Conqueror. The Baron built Oxford and Wallingford Castles. He held 51 domains in Oxfordshire and had a large family.

Early History of the Efford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Efford research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Efford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Efford Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Heyford, Hayford, Haiford, Heiford, Heighford, Haighford, Heafford, Hefford and many more.

Early Notables of the Efford family

More information is included under the topic Early Efford Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Efford migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Efford or a variant listed above:

Efford Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Tho Efford, who landed in Virginia in 1662 [2]
  • Emanuel Efford, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 [2]
Efford Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Efford, aged 37, who landed in America from Guernsey, in 1899
Efford Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Jane Efford, aged 41, who immigrated to America from London, in 1904
  • James Hy. Efford, aged 34, who landed in America from Chatham, in 1906
  • Annie Efford, aged 28, who landed in America from Snodlam, England, in 1906
  • Augustus Efford, aged 24, who settled in America from Snodlam, England, in 1906
  • John Thomas Efford, aged 3, who immigrated to the United States from Snodlam, England, in 1906
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Efford migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Efford Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Selina Efford, aged 17, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1916
  • Samuel Efford, aged 51, who settled in Pt.DeGrave, Newfoundland, in 1917
  • Elizabeth Efford, aged 46, who immigrated to Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, in 1918
  • Gertrude Efford, aged 7, who settled in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, in 1918
  • Reuben Efford, aged 6, who immigrated to Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, in 1918

Contemporary Notables of the name Efford (post 1700) +

  • Robert Efford (b. 1952), American professional football player
  • Rueben John Efford (1944-2022), Newfoundland-born, Canadian politician, Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Avalon (2002-2006), Minister of Natural Resources
  • Lincoln Arthur Winstone Efford (1907-1962), New Zealand pacifist, social reformer and adult educationalist
  • Clive Stanley Efford (b. 1958), British Labour Party politician


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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