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![Show Contents]() Byfithey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Byfithey is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived near a ford, a shallow place in a river or stream which could be crossed by wading. The surname Byfithey is derived from the Old English words bi, which means by, and ford, which means ford, collectively "ford near the river-bend."1. The surname Byfithey may also be derived from residence in the settlement of Byford in Hertfordshire. 2 Early Origins of the Byfithey familyThe surname Byfithey was first found in Herefordshire at Byford, a parish, in the union of Weobley, hundred of Grimsworth. 3 The name is derived from Beeford or Beeforth (Buiforde in the Domesday Book) 4 in Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire, on the east coast of England. Baldwin de Biford, between 1182 and 1189, "gave as much land on each side of their grange on the moor as was equal to the previous grant of Acer de Biford to Beverley Abbey; Nicholas, his son, gave an oxgang and a toft in Beeford; and Stephen, son of Thomas de Biford, the same." 5 Following this early entry, we must look to Essex for the next registered entry for the family. For it is there that Geoffrey de Biford was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1222-1223. Later, again in Essex, John Byfordim was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1381. 2 Early History of the Byfithey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Byfithey research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Byfithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Byfithey Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Byfithey has been spelled many different ways, including Biford, Biforde, Byford, Byforde, Bifford, Byfford, Biffard, Biffort, Byfford and many more. Early Notables of the Byfithey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Byfithey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Byfithey familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Byfitheys to arrive in North America: William Byford who arrived in Philadelphia in 1880; Thomas, William, and Martha Byford, arrived in Barbados in 1664; and later transferred to the mainland in Virginia.
- 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)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
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