Sommerforth History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe name Sommerforth belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in the small English town of Somerford found in the county of Wiltshire. Early Origins of the Sommerforth familyThe surname Sommerforth was first found in Wiltshire where there is a Great Somerford and Little Somerford. Both date back to 937 when they were listed simply as Sumerford. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the village was listed as Sumreford. The placename literally means "ford usable in the summer," from the Old English sumor + ford. 1 Somerford Keynes is located in Gloucestershire and that locale dates back further to 685 when it was listed as Sumerford. Early History of the Sommerforth familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sommerforth research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sommerforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sommerforth Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Sommerforth include Somerford, Somerfield and others. Early Notables of the Sommerforth familyMore information is included under the topic Early Sommerforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Sommerforth familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Sommerforth were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Geoffrey Somerford who settled in Virginia in 1654.
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