Surname Stratford - Meaning and Origin
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Stratford: What does the surname Stratford mean?
Stratford is an English surname with historical roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is locational in nature, derived from any of the various places in England that share the same name, such as Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare. The original Old English name "Straetford" is a compound of two words: "straet" meaning street and "ford" meaning a river crossing. Therefore, when combined, Stratford signifies 'the street at the ford' or 'the ford on the Roman road'. Many people bearing this surname could have ancestral ties to these locations or it may have been given to someone who migrated from there as a means to identify their place of origin. It's also possible that the name was taken on by someone who lived near a ford or a shallow part of a river. The distribution of this Anglo-Saxon surname is quite widespread throughout England, and the name is also commonly found in other English-speaking regions of the world. In modern times, this name is borne by many notable individuals in various fields such as arts, sports, and politics.
Order DNA origin analysisStratford: Where does the name Stratford come from?
The last name Stratford is found in countries around the world today, but it is particularly common in the United Kingdom. Stratford is a settlement that has been around for centuries, and it is most associated with the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. Stratford-upon-Avon is famously the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and over time this connection has become synonymous with the surname.
It is likely that Stratford originally emerged as a surname based on the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, although the origin of the settlement itself is disputed. Historians do agree that it was likely the centre of a Saxon community by at least the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The Stratford surname is one of the sixty most popular last names in England and is also common in parts of Ireland and Scotland. In the US, the surname is most prevalent in America's Mid-Atlantic states, particularly Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey.
The proliferation of Stratford family names has likely been shaped by the mobility of people over time, particularly those from the UK who have gone to live overseas. Many of these migrants may have taken their Stratford name with them when they settled in new countries, leading to its spread around the world.
Variations of the surname Stratford
The Stratford surname has several variants, spellings and related names. The most common of these are Stratforde, Stratforder, Stratforde, Strattford, Stratferd, Strutford, Stratferd, Stratforda and Striftord. Stratford is an English name from various places in England. It is derived from the Old English 'streot ford', which means 'street ford', or a place where two roads crossed each other.
Stratforde is a Middle English variation of the name, and Strattford is another variation found mainly in northern England. Stratferd is derived from an Old English combination of 'stret' meaning 'street' and 'ford' meaning 'ford'. The variant Stratforda is an Anglo-Saxon spelling of the name originally found in Devon and Cornwall. Strutford is another Old English name from Devon and Cornwall, while Striftord is a variation found in the easternmost parts of England.
These variants, spellings and related names less common today, are a testament to the history of the Stratford name. They serve to remind us of the variety of places and dialects in the country in which this name was used. The Stratford surname has been around for centuries, making it one of the oldest and most well-known names in English history.
Famous people with the name Stratford
- David Stratford: American journalist and author.
- Malcolm Stratford: English politician.
- Caroline Stratford: British poet and novelist.
- Nick Stratford: British actor and comedian.
- Andrew Stratford: English politician.
- Peter Stratford: British actor.
- Paul Stratford: British rower.
- Syd Stratford: British TV presenter.
- Chris Stratford: British adventurer and author.
- Sandy Stratford: British photographer and film maker.
- Tom Stratford: British rugby player.
- Humphrey Stratford: British politician.
- James Stratford: British orienteering athlete.
- Simon Stratford: British musician.
- Alex Stratford: British artist.
- Rebecca Stratford: British fashion photographer.
- Sylvia Stratford: British sculptor and visual artist.
- Alan Stratford: British politician.
- Dick Stratford: American cinematographer.
- Glyn Stratford: British actor and theatre director.