Downford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Downford

The present generation of the Downford family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the town of Dunford in the northern county of Yorkshire. This West Riding town was first inhabited by the Dunford name in the early 1200's. One of the first records of the name was William de Dunneford who was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1332. A few years later William Dinford was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332.

Early Origins of the Downford family

Early History of the Downford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Downford research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273 and 1379 are included under the topic Early Downford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Downford Spelling Variations

Until 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 Downford include Dunsford, Downford, Dounsford, Duinsford, Duneford and many more.

Early Notables of the Downford family

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

Migration of the Downford family to Ireland

Some of the Downford family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Downford family

Thousands 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 Downford were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Taylor Dunford married Elizabeth Keeling in Cumberland County, Va. in 1712; John Dunford purchased land on the eastern seaboard in 1718. James Dunford brought the family name to New York City in 1820 and other Dunfords made Pennsylvania their home in later years. In Labrador, John Dunford settled in Battle Harbour in 1795.