Show ContentsElderford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Elderford family

The surname Elderford was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. Alderford is a village and civil parish in Norfolk, about ten miles north-west of Norwich. The village dates back to at least 1163 where it was known as Alaforda and was derived from the Old English alor + ford which meant "ford where the alders grow." 1

The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire and seated at Kinghtwick. 2

Early History of the Elderford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elderford research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1043, 1352, 1455, 1486, 1487, 1510, 1566, 1600, 1607 and 1652 are included under the topic Early Elderford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elderford Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Elderford include Alderford, Alderforth, Elderford, Alderforde, Alterford and many more.

Early Notables of the Elderford family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Elderford Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Elderford family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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