The surname Ordforth was first found in Suffolk at Orford, a small coastal town and fishing village that dates back to the Middle Ages. Geographically, it is best known for the Orford Ness, a long, wide shingle spit at the mouth of the Ore. Orford Castle is located in the same village and is thought to have been built between 1165 and 1173 by Henry II of England. According to the chronicler Ralph of Coggeshall, a naked wild man, covered in hair, was caught in the nets of local fishermen around 1167. The man was brought back to the castle where he was held for six months but later escaped. Thus began the legend of the Wild Man of Orford. One of the first records of the name was in the year 1191 when Richard de Orford held estates in that area.
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Early History of the Ordforth family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ordforth research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1302, 1310 and 1697 are included under the topic Early Ordforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Ordforth Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Orford, Oreford, Orrford, Orforth, Ordford, Ordforth and many more.
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Early Notables of the Ordforth family
More information is included under the topic Early Ordforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Ordforth family
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..
England
