The origins of the Welsh name Rufforth go back to the ancient Celtic culture that existed in the hills and Moors of Wales. The forbears that initially held the name Rufforth once lived in either of the settlements called Rufford in Lancashire and Nottinghamshire, or in the place called Rufforth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Rufforth belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
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Early Origins of the Rufforth family
The surname Rufforth was first found in Gloucestershire, where they held a family seat from ancient times as Lords of the manor of Rudford. Conjecturally they are descended from Madog the pre Conquest holder of the lands of Rudford, who after the Conquest was allowed to continue occupying these lands.
Early History of the Rufforth family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rufforth research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1490 and 1550 are included under the topic Early Rufforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Rufforth Spelling Variations
Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Rufforth have included Rufforde, Rufford and others.
Early Notables of the Rufforth family
More information is included under the topic Early Rufforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Rufforth family
Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Rufforth: John Rufford who landed in North America in 1770.
