Show ContentsBerford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Berford date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The surname is generally thought to have come from a place name, such as from Burford in Oxfordshire, or Burford in Shropshire. [1]

These place names are derived from the Old English words "burh," meaning "stronghold," or a "fortified manor," and "ford," a location where a river can be crossed. Some variations of this surname, no doubt come from the Old French word "buffet," meaning "table" or "cupboard." [2]

Early Origins of the Berford family

The surname Berford was first found in Shropshire where two of the first listings of the family were listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Hugo de Bureford: and Roger de Bureford. [3] William le Burford and Walter le Boreforde were both listed in Kirby's Quest as holding lands in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) [4]

Early History of the Berford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berford research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1329 and 1620 are included under the topic Early Berford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berford Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Berford has been spelled many different ways, including Burford, Bareford, Berford, Barford, Buford, Burfort and many more.

Early Notables of the Berford family

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

Ireland Migration of the Berford family to Ireland

Some of the Berford family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Berford migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Berfords to arrive in North America:

Berford Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Ann Berford, who landed in Virginia in 1666 [5]
Berford Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Berford, aged 19, who arrived in New York NY in 1804 [5]
  • Peter Berford, aged 31, who arrived in New York in 1812 [5]
  • Mr. Berford, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 [5]


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. 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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