Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Wilford

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Wilford?

The surname Wilford has Anglo-Saxon origins. It is derived from a place name, specifically "Wilaford," which means "Wulf's ford" or "the ford controlled by Wulf." This name was originally a geographical reference, but over time it became a hereditary surname in England. Variations of the name include Wilforth and Wildford.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Wilford

The meaning and origin of the last name Wilford

The surname Wilford is of Old English origin, derived from two elements: "wilf" and "ford." "Wilf" means "wolf" or "wild boar," while "ford" refers to a shallow place where a river can be crossed easily. Thus, the name Wilford originally denoted a "wolf's ford" or a "place where wild boars cross the river." The surname first appeared in England during the Middle Ages and was commonly found in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. It is a relatively uncommon surname compared to other English names but has been borne by notable figures such as John Wilford, an English explorer who participated in the second British North American expedition led by Martin Frobisher in 1576-1578.

Geographical distribution of the last name Wilford

The surname Wilford is predominantly distributed across various regions in England and Wales, indicating its historical origins in these countries. According to data from FamilySearch, it is most commonly found in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Worcestershire. In the United States, the distribution of Wilford is more widespread, with significant concentrations in states like California, Texas, and Illinois, likely due to migration during the 19th and 20th centuries. Additionally, smaller populations can be found in countries such as Australia, Canada, and South Africa, reflecting the global dispersal of English-speaking settlers over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Wilford

The surname Wilford possesses several variations and spellings due to phonetic changes over time and regional differences in pronunciation. Some of these include:

* Wildford
* Wylford
* Wyllford
* Wylfard
* Wilfort
* Wilforth
* Wilferd
* Wilfird
* Wilfurde
* Wilfourd
* Williford
* Willfordt
* Wyllfordt
* Wilifordt
* Willifort
* Wilferdt
* Wilfourdt
* Wilfurt
* Willfort
* Wilforde

These variations are primarily due to the change in pronunciation and spelling of Old English "wil" (meaning 'will' or 'desire') over time, as well as the addition or omission of syllables.

Famous people with the last name Wilford

Notable individuals with the surname Wilford include:

1. Malcolm Wilford (1928-2016), an English musician and composer known for his work on "The Prisoner" television series.

2. Chris Wilford, a British guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, best recognized as the co-founder of the punk rock band Slaughter and the Dogs.

3. Martin Wilford (born 1950), an English composer and conductor who has worked extensively in television and film.

4. John Wilford (1927-2012), an American science writer and journalist, known for his work with The New York Times and National Geographic.

5. Stephen Wilford (born 1949), an English composer who has written numerous works for theater, film, television, and ballet.

6. Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010), a Canadian actor, most famously known for his role in the "Airplane!" comedy series, although he did not legally change his last name from Binnion to Wilford until 1967.

Genealogical research on the last name Wilford

The surname Wilford is of English origin and is derived from two possible sources. One theory suggests it's a topographic name for someone who lived near a wilf's ford, where 'wilf' was an Old Norse byname for a wolf. Another theory proposes that the name could be occupational, referring to a wolfe-forder or keeper of a ford frequented by wolves. The earliest known record of the Wilford family can be traced back to the 13th century in Yorkshire, England. Notable individuals with this surname include John Wilford (died 1568), a Yorkshire landowner and politician, and William Wilford (1756-1825), an English architect who designed the London Bridge and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. The name has since been distributed globally due to emigration, particularly to North America during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Wilaiwan

Last name • surnames > wilaiwan

The last name "Wilaiwan" is of Thai origin. It is a common surname in Thailand and is likely derived from a Thai word or name.

#2 Wilasni

Last name • surnames > wilasni

The last name "Wilasni" has origins in Poland. It is likely derived from the Polish word "wilas" meaning woodland spirit or nymph.

#3 Wilawan

Last name • surnames > wilawan

The last name "Wilawan" is of Thai origin.

#4 Wilayatkhan

Last name • surnames > wilayatkhan

The last name Wilayatkhan is of Central Asian origin, specifically from the region of Afghanistan. It is a combination of "Wilayat", which means province or region in Arabic and Pe...

#5 Wilber

Last name • surnames > wilber

The surname Wilber is of Old English origin. It is derived from a variety of given names that were popular in England during the Middle Ages. The most common source is "Wigbeald," ...

#6 Wilberg

Last name • surnames > wilberg

The last name Wilberg is of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Viljarr and the ending "-berg" meaning "mountain" or "hill". This surname likely ori...

#7 Wilberger

Last name • surnames > wilberger

The surname Wilberger is of German origin. It is derived from the Old German personal name "Wilberg", which is composed of the elements "wil", meaning "will" or "desire", and "berg...

#8 Wilbois

Last name • surnames > wilbois

The last name Wilbois is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "wil" meaning "desire" or "will" and "bois" which means "wood" or "forest". Therefore, the...

#9 Wilcent

Last name • surnames > wilcent

The last name "Wilcent" is of English origin. It is a variation of the surname "Wilkins," which is a patronymic form of the personal name "Wilkin," itself a diminutive of William. ...

#10 Wilches

Last name • surnames > wilches

The surname Wilches has roots in Spanish and Portuguese language origins. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Guillermo" (William) or its diminutive form "Guill...

#11 Wilczynski

Last name • surnames > wilczynski

The surname Wilczynski is of Polish origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Włodek (diminutive form of Władysław), and the suffix -owski, which indicates ...

#12 Wilde

Last name • surnames > wilde

The surname Wilde has origins in several European countries, but it is most commonly associated with England and Ireland. In England, it is an Anglicized form of various Old Englis...

#13 Wildenberg

Last name • surnames > wildenberg

The surname "Wildenberg" is of German origin, derived from a place name. It originated from various locations named Wildenberg in Germany, such as in the states of Hesse and Baden-...

#14 Wilders

Last name • surnames > wilders

The surname Wilders is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word "wild(er)," which means a "wild animal" or "wild person." This could have referred to someone who l...

#15 Wildeson

Last name • surnames > wildeson

The last name "Wildeson" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Wil(l)a" and the suffix "-son", meaning "son of Wild".