Show ContentsGaynsfork History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Gaynsfork

What does the name Gaynsfork mean?

The ancestors of the name Gaynsfork date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in the region of Gaye which was located in France. The surname Gaynsfork was also a nickname which described someone with a happy or light spirited character.

Early Origins of the Gaynsfork family

The surname Gaynsfork 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 Gaynsfork family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaynsfork research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1599, 1601, 1610 and 1624 are included under the topic Early Gaynsfork History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gaynsfork Spelling Variations

Gaynsfork has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Gaynsfork have been found, including Gainsford, Gaynesford, Gainford, Gaynsford, Ganesford and many more.

Early Notables of the Gaynsfork family

Distinguished 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...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gaynsfork Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gaynsfork family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Gaynsforks to arrive on North American shores: Mathias Gainsford who settled in Maryland in 1774 and Arthur Gainsford, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1876.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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