Longfart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Longfart family

The surname Longfart was first found in Derbyshire at Longford, a village that dates back to 1197 when it was recorded as Langeford. As the name literally means "long ford," 1 there are other villages and parishes throughout Britain including Gloucestershire, Coventry and Shropshire. Longford Castle is located on the banks of the River Avon south of Salisbury, Wiltshire. This huge well-kept castle was originally owned by the Cervingtons and is currently the seat of William Pleydell-Bouverie, 9th Earl of Radnor, but is open to the public at selected times. Longford (Irish: an Longfort) is also a county town in County Longford, Ireland. In this latter case, County Longford is an Anglicization of an Irish Longfort, derived from "long" (meaning "ship") and "port" (meaning "port" or "dock".) County Longford was traditionally known as Annaly (Irish: Anghaile,) Tethbae or Teffia (Irish: Teabhtha) and formed the territory of the Farrell clan.

Early History of the Longfart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Longfart research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1153, 1455, 1486, 1487, 1510, 1537 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Longfart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Longfart Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Longfart have been found, including Longford, Longforde, Longforth, Longforthe and others.

Early Notables of the Longfart family

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

Migration of the Longfart family to Ireland

Some of the Longfart family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Longfart family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Longfart, or a variant listed above: John Longford, who came to Virginia in 1651; Kath Longford, who came to Virginia in 1678; Michael Longford, who came to Barbados in 1692; Robert Longford, who arrived in Annapolis, MD in 1725.