Bayford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

There are two distinct sources for the Bayford surname. Some instances of the surname come from the Old French word "pafard," meaning "shield," and as such, the name may have been a Norman nickname or occupational name either a soldier or an armorer. The name is also thought to have come from either of two minor places in Devon: Pafford in Moretonhampstead or Parford in Drewsteignton, both are derived from the Old English words "pæð" meaning "path," and "ford," meaning "a ford," that is, a low spot where a river may be crossed. The source Old English Bynames lists William Pafard c. 1100-1130. 1

Early Origins of the Bayford family

The surname Bayford was first found in Nottinghamshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.

The Bayford branch of the family originated in either Somerset at Bayford, a hamlet, in the parish of StokeTrister, union of Wincanton, hundred of NortonFerris 2 or in the village and civil parish of Bayford in the East Hertfordshire district of Hertfordshire. In the latter, the family resided there since the reign of King Edward I. 3

Early History of the Bayford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bayford research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1096, 1156, 1347, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1615 and 1619 are included under the topic Early Bayford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bayford Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Bayford family name include Bafford, Bafforde, Baford, Bayford, Bafore, Pafford and many more.

Early Notables of the Bayford family

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

Bayford migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bayford Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Richard Bayford who was convicted in Essex, England for life, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Bayford (post 1700) +

Robert Frederic "R.F." Bayford (1871-1951), English barrister, born in Westminster, London, eldest son of Robert Augustus Bayford
Robert Augustus Bayford (1838-1922), English cricketer and barrister, born in Albury, Surrey
James Heseltine Bayford (1804-1871), English rower who was the first winner of the Wingfield Sculls, the amateur sculling championship of the River Thames
David Bayford (1739-1790), English surgeon born in Hertfordshire who practised in London from 1761 to 1782
Richard Edward Gordon "Dick" Bayford (1885-1939), Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (1910)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick