Bikerfith History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsIn ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Bikerfith surname lived in Bickford, which was the name of several places in England. The surname Bikerfith is derived from the Old English words becca, which refers to a type of ax, and ford, which refers to a shallow place in a river. Early Origins of the Bikerfith familyThe surname Bikerfith was first found in Devon at Bickford Town in Plympton St. Mary parish or from Beckford Farm in Membury. 1 "The manor of Carburrow, [in the parish of Warleggon. Cornwall] and the barton of Trevedoc, have been for a considerable time in the family of their present proprietor Arscott Bickford, Esq. of Dunsland in Devonshire. The old mansion still remains; but it is no longer the abode of grandeur." 2 Some sources note that the family could have originated in Beckford, Gloucestershire. This parish, in the union of Winchcomb, partly in the hundred of Tibaldstone dates back to Saxon times when it was known as Beccanford in 803. 3 By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the parish was known as Beceford. 4 In the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, there was a strong presence of the family in Gloucestershire where (Prior) de Bekeford; Adam de Beckeford; and Henry de Beckeford were listed at that time. Alex, de Bikeford was listed in Staffordshire in the same rolls. 5 Of the latter, the village of Bickford in Staffordshire survives today. Early History of the Bikerfith familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bikerfith research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1709, 1774 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Bikerfith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bikerfith Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bikerfith are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bikerfith include: Bickford, Bickerford and others. Early Notables of the Bikerfith familyAnother 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bikerfith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bikerfith familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bikerfith or a variant listed above: Stephen Bickford who settled in Warren, Maine, in the year of 1640; and other members of the family settled in New Hampshire at Henniker, Sabornton, and Nottingham..
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