Bamfithey History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of BamfitheyWhat does the name Bamfithey mean? The ancestors of the name Bamfithey date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in one of two places named Bamford in the counties of Derbyshire and Lancashire. 1 2 Later records show the name in Yorkshire as well. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English words beam, meaning tree or plank, and ford, meaning river crossing. In this case the name referred to a settlement near which there was a tree or plank laid across a river to make a dry crossing. 3 Early Origins of the Bamfithey familyThe surname Bamfithey was first found in Lancashire, where "the estate of Bamford was granted to Thomas de Bamfordby, Sir Adam de Bury, temp. Henry III, for his homage and services." 4 As noted above, Yorkshire was later a stronghold of family as noted by early rolls. The Hundredorum Rolls list Richard de Bamford there in 1273 and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Adam Bamforth and Adam de Baumford. 4 Another source notes: "In the 17th century there was an old family of Bamford of Bamford House; there was also another family of Bamford Hall. Jerome Bamford held land in the Mealegate in the manor of Manchester during the reign of Elizabeth. The name was well established in Rochdale parish in the 16th century, and still occurs there. There is a Lancashire village thus called." 5 Early History of the Bamfithey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bamfithey research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1556, 1593, 1594, 1602, 1612, 1613, 1657, 1659, 1738 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bamfithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bamfithey Spelling VariationsBamfithey has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Bamfithey have been found, including Bamford, Banford, Banforth, Balmforth and others. Early Notables of the Bamfithey familyDistinguished members of the family include William Bamford, last of the Bamford Hall line, Sheriff of Lancaster.
James Balmford (b. 1556), was an English divine who published in 1593-1594, a 'Short and Plaine Dialogue concerning the unlawfulness of playing at cards,' London. 6
Samuel Balmford... Migration of the Bamfithey family to IrelandSome of the Bamfithey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Bamfithey familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bamfitheys to arrive on North American shores: John Bamford, who settled in Virginia in 1624; John Bamford, who settled in Jamaica in 1685.
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