First found in Devon where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Rayford arrived in North America very early: Cornelius Radford who was banished to Barbados in 1685; Heny Radford settled in St. Christopher in 1635; George, William, and Richard Radford settled in Virginia in 1637.

For more information on the last name Rayford, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.