Of all the
Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Raynfert is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the chapelry of Rainford in the parish of Prescot in
Lancashire. The surname Raynfert is a
habitation name which forms a broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. In this case the surname Raynfert was originally derived from the Old English
Regnaforde which refers to those individuals who lived
by the ford. However, there is also evidence that the name in fact referred to Danish settlers, who came from Randers Fiord, Denmark.
Early Origins of the Raynfert family
The surname Raynfert was first found in
Lancashire where they were found since ancient times, perhaps even predating the
Norman Conquest of
England by Duke William of
Normandy in 1066 A.D. Early records, and the church cemetery show bearers of the name in Little Crosby, Lancashire.
Early History of the Raynfert family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Raynfert research.
Another 269 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1469, 1933, 1482, 1559, 1537, 1538, 1529, 1605, 1680, 1660, 1663, 1632, 1690, 1652, 1709, 1700 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Raynfert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Raynfert Spelling Variations
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few
hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time,
spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Raynfert has been spelled many different ways, including Rainford, Rainsford, Raynsford, Raynsforde, Reinsford, Reinsforde, Raynesford, Rainesford, Rainesforde, Ranford, Ranforde, Randsford, Randford, Randeford and many more.
Early Notables of the Raynfert family (pre 1700)
Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Raynsford of Bradfield Hall, Essex; and his son, Sir John Raynsford (by 1482-1559) was an English politician,
High Sheriff of
Essex and
Hertfordshire (1537-1538), Member of Parliament for Colchester in 1529; John Raynsford, an English politician, Member of Parliament (MP) for Colchester during...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Raynfert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Raynfert family to Ireland
Some of the Raynfert family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 118 words (8 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 Raynfert family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Raynferts to arrive in North America: Edward Rainsford and his wife, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Captain Rainford, who settled in Jamaica in 1774, with his wife and three children.