The name Rathford first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived beside a marsh or reedy ford. Rathford is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
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Early Origins of the Rathford family
The surname Rathford was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
Early History of the Rathford family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rathford research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1561 and 1630 are included under the topic Early Rathford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Rathford Spelling Variations
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Rathford has appeared include Radford, Ratford and others.
Early Notables of the Rathford family
More information is included under the topic Early Rathford Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Rathford family
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Rathford arrived in North America very early: Cornelius Radford who was banished to Barbados in 1685; Heny Radford settled in St. Christopher in 1635; George, William, and Richard Radford settled in Virginia in 1637.
