Gayford History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe origins of the Gayford name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Gayford was originally derived from a family having lived in the region of Gaye which was located in France. The surname Gayford was also a nickname which described someone with a happy or light spirited character. Early Origins of the Gayford familyThe surname Gayford was first found in Durham at Gainford, a parish, in the unions of Teesdale, Darlington, and Auckland. "This place was anciently a seigniory detached from the palatinate jurisdiction of the county, and invested with several valuable privileges and immunities. It appears to have been indebted for its origin to Egfrid, Bishop of Lindisfarne, who founded a church, which in 830 he gave to the see, together with the lands annexed to it, and which continued to form part of the episcopal possessions till the commencement of the 11th century." 1 Early History of the Gayford familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gayford research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1599, 1601, 1610 and 1624 are included under the topic Early Gayford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gayford Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Gayford include Gainsford, Gaynesford, Gainford, Gaynsford, Ganesford and many more. Early Notables of the Gayford familyDistinguished members of the family include Thomas Gainsford (d. 1624?), English author who belonged to the Surrey family of Gainsford. "He with Edward Stene apparently purchased of the crown Alne manor, Warwickshire, and a cottage in Stutton, Yorkshire, 27 Nov. 1599. He is known to have served in Ireland under Richard...
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: Gayford Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Gayford Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Gayford Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
|