Surname Ramsford - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Ramsford: What does the surname Ramsford mean?
The last name Ramsford is thought to have originated from the Old English words hramsa (raven) and ford (river crossing). It is possible that the surname was derived from an individual living near a river that was home to a large population of ravens.
The Ramsford surname is thought to have originated in the United Kingdom, most likely in the counties of Norfolk or Derbyshire. Early records of the Ramsford surname are found in Norfolk, with records of the name in the reign of Elizabeth I.
The Ramsford surname appears in records from the 16th and 17th centuries. Ralph Ramsford was noted as having a rice interest in 1555, while Matthew Ramsford was documented as being an academic in 1638. The Ramsford family is also linked to the early families of Mayflower descendants who immigrated to the United States in the early 17th century.
The Ramsford name is thought to be derived from a location in Derbyshire. The earliest records of the Ramsford name in the Derbyshire area dates from 1240. The family is closely linked to the area of Derbyshire, with records from 1496 through the 20th century documenting the Ramsford family in the region.
The Ramsford family likely had a strong involvement in the agricultural industry, as evidenced by the surname's ties to Derbyshire. In later centuries, clients of the Ramsford name could be found in trading and other service oriented occupations. The Ramsford name has been carried down through generations, but today it is primarily seen in the United Kingdom.
Order DNA origin analysisRamsford: Where does the name Ramsford come from?
The last name Ramsford is most commonly found in the United States today, and is not found outside the country. The name is thought to originate from an old Anglo-Saxon name, derived from the word 'ram,’ meaning ram, and 'ford,’ meaning crossing or ford. It’s possible that the first use of the name referred to someone who lived near or by a place where rams were frequently crossed or kept.
Ramsford is considered a fairly rare last name in the United States today. According to the 2018 US Census, there are less than 2,000 people with the last name Ramsford living in the United States. The majority of those with the name are found in the southern states. The highest concentrations are in Florida, Georgia, Texas and California.
The last name Ramsford had its most notable growth in popularity during the 19th century when many of the Ramsford people migrated from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to the United States. Today, the name is still primarily found in the regions of North America and Great Britain. So if you’re looking for Ramsford’s today, chances are you’ll find them in the United States.
Variations of the surname Ramsford
The variations, alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ramsford are: Ramford, Ramsforth, Ramsfurd, Ramsfurt, Ramsfort, Ramsfote, Ramsfert, Ramsfeare, Ramsfeild, Ramsfild, Ramesforth, and Ramesfurd.
The surname Ramsford is thought to be of English origin and may be derived from a place. It is thought to be a locational name from a variety of places of this spelling, located in different places in England.
The surname Ramford is thought to have originated from Ramford in Essex, which was recorded as Ramferge in the 13th Century and is derived from the Old English "ram-forda" meaning the ford used by rams.
Ramsforth is thought to have originated from a place of this name in the West Riding of Yorkshire, while Ramsfurd is also thought to have been derived from Ramsford in Sussex. Both names are derived from the pre-seventh Century Old English words, "hramm" meaning a ram and "ford" meaning a ford.
Ramsfort is thought to have originated from a place of this name in the Huntingdonshire area, while Ramsfote may have been derived from Ramsfote in Kent. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English "ramm" meaning a ram and "fote" meaning a foot.
Ramsfert and Ramsfeare are variants of Ramsford, which could have originated from Ramsford in Essex or Ramsford in Warwickshire. Both of these names have a similar meaning to Ramford, as they are also derived from the Old English "ram-forda" meaning the ford used by rams.
Finally, the surnames Ramsfild, Ramesforth and Ramesfurd could have been derived from any of the places previously mentioned, with the suffix "–fild" being a variant of "–ford", and the prefix "ra–" being a variant of "ram–".
Famous people with the name Ramsford
- Danny Ramsford: an American professional basketball player, who played in the late 1970s and early 1980s and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1980.
- Belinda Ramsford: British exotic dancer, actor and former glamour model.
- Kiri Ramsford: British film and television composer.
- Chase Ramsford: British dancer and actor, best known for his performances in the film 'Step Up'.
- Francis Ramsford: English Victorian painter and art critic.
- Laura Ramsford: British shades designer and chief creative director of Appelles, a high end eyewear company.
- Gregory Ramsford: British artist and writer, best known for his paintings of spiritual themes.
- Willam Ramsford: former British football fullback, who represented England at the 1966 World Cup.
- David Ramsford: Australian Olympic swimmer, athlete and water polo player, who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Henry Ramsford: a British Bishop of St Albans during the late 19th century.