Bifithey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Bifithey first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived near a ford, a shallow place in a river or stream which could be crossed by wading. The surname Bifithey is derived from the Old English words bi, which means by, and ford, which means ford, collectively "ford near the river-bend."1. The surname Bifithey may also be derived from residence in the settlement of Byford in Hertfordshire. 2

Early Origins of the Bifithey family

The surname Bifithey was first found in Herefordshire at Byford, a parish, in the union of Weobley, hundred of Grimsworth. 3

The name is derived from Beeford or Beeforth (Buiforde in the Domesday Book) 4 in Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire, on the east coast of England. Baldwin de Biford, between 1182 and 1189, "gave as much land on each side of their grange on the moor as was equal to the previous grant of Acer de Biford to Beverley Abbey; Nicholas, his son, gave an oxgang and a toft in Beeford; and Stephen, son of Thomas de Biford, the same." 5

Following this early entry, we must look to Essex for the next registered entry for the family. For it is there that Geoffrey de Biford was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1222-1223. Later, again in Essex, John Byfordim was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1381. 2

Early History of the Bifithey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bifithey research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bifithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bifithey Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Bifithey has appeared include Biford, Biforde, Byford, Byforde, Bifford, Byfford, Biffard, Biffort, Byfford and many more.

Early Notables of the Bifithey family

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

Migration of the Bifithey family

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 Bifithey arrived in North America very early: William Byford who arrived in Philadelphia in 1880; Thomas, William, and Martha Byford, arrived in Barbados in 1664; and later transferred to the mainland in Virginia.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3