Welsford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Welsford surname and its variations are habitation names that have been taken on from Welford in Berkshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, and Northamptonshire. These place names are generally derived from the Old English "welig," meaning "willow," or "well," denoting "a spring," combined with "ford." 1 2

Most of the parishes date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when they were known as Waliford (Berkshire), Wellesford (Northamptonshire) and Welleford Warwickshire. 3

Interestingly of the three parishes, the Berkshire parish is the oldest dating back to Saxon times in 949 when it was known as Weligforda. 4

Early Origins of the Welsford family

The surname Welsford was first found in Somerset where Roger de Wellesford was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327. 5 Richard de Welleford was registered in London temp. Edward II, according to the Placita de Quo Warranto. 1

Early History of the Welsford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Welsford research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1461, 1606 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Welsford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Welsford Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Welford, Wellford, Welsford, Wellsford and others.

Early Notables of the Welsford family

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

Welsford migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Welsford Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Welsford, whose oath of Allegiance was recorded in Philadelphia in 1849

Welsford migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Welsford Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Samuel Welsford, who settled in Prince Edward Island in 1825
Thomas Welsford, who was recorded in the 1871 census of Ontario, Canada

Welsford migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Welsford Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Welsford, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
Mr. Robert Welsford, English convict who was convicted in Exeter, Devon, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden