Retford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
England

A family of Strathclyde-Briton were the first to use the name Retford. They lived in Midlothian. However, the Retford 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."

Early Origins of the Retford family

The surname Retford 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.

Early History of the Retford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Retford research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1404, 1535, 1547, 1611, 1612 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Retford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Retford Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Retford has appeared as Redford, Redfurd, Rudford, Reidford and others.

Early Notables of the Retford 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 Retford Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Retford migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Retford Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mary A. Retford, aged 22, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
Charles Retford, aged 17, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
Charlotte Retford, aged 18, a domestic servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
Mary A. Retford, aged 23, a domestic servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888