It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Retfart. It was a name for someone who lived in Midlothian. However, the Retfart family name comes from any of several place names in England called Redford, from Old English re-ad meaning "red" and ford, meaning "a place where a river can be crossed."
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Early Origins of the Retfart family
The surname Retfart was first found in Midlothian, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
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Early History of the Retfart family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Retfart research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1404, 1535, 1547, 1611, 1612 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Retfart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Retfart Spelling Variations
Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Retfart has appeared as Redford, Redfurd, Rudford, Reidford and others.
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Early Notables of the Retfart family
Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir Henry Redford (died 1404), English politician, Speaker of the House of Commons, who came of a family long settled in Lindsey, Lincolnshire; and John Redford (died 1547), a... Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Retfart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Retfart family
The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: John Redford settled in Bermuda in 1635; James, John and Thomas Redford all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870.
Scotland
England
