Summary
The surname GIFFORD is believed to have originated from the Old French word 'giffard,' meaning 'lively and generous.' It has a long history dating back to medieval times, and is associated with nobility and land ownership. The GIFFORD family name has spread across different countries and continents over the years, with various branches and spellings found in different regions. Today, it is a relatively uncommon surname.19514
Giffords in the USA1834th
most common last name in the USAHistorical figures and celebrities called Gifford
KathieLee
Kathie Lee Gifford is an American television host, singer, songwriter, and author. She is best known for her co-hosting role on the talk show 'Live with Regis and Kathie Lee' and as a correspondent for 'The Today Show'.FrankGifford
Frank Gifford was an American football player, sports commentator, and television host. He played as a running back and wide receiver for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL) and later became a popular TV personality.BillyGifford
Billy Gifford is an American business executive who served as the Chief Financial Officer of Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States.GlennGifford
Glenn Gifford is a former professional golfer from Australia who competed on the PGA Tour and the European Tour. He won several tournaments throughout his career and represented Australia in international competitions.CassieGifford
Cassie Gifford is an American actress known for her roles in films like 'The Birth of a Nation' and 'Bad Moms'. She has also appeared in television shows including 'The Good Wife' and 'Grey's Anatomy'.MikeGifford
Mike Gifford is a Canadian entrepreneur and software developer who co-founded OpenConcept Consulting, a web development and consulting company. He is also known for his contributions to open-source software and web accessibility.BrigitteGifford
Brigitte Gifford is a French actress and fashion model popular in the 1960s and 1970s. She appeared in films such as 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' and 'Belle de Jour'.RobertGifford
Robert Gifford is an English football player who played as a midfielder for various clubs including Notts County, Nottingham Forest, and West Bromwich Albion. He also represented the England national team.KellyGifford
Kelly Gifford is an Australian swimmer who competed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She specialized in freestyle events and was a member of the Australian relay team.SophieGifford
Sophie Gifford is a British architectural designer and artist known for her innovative and sustainable designs. She has received numerous awards for her work in the field of architecture and urban planning.Gifford Genealogy
OriginsThe surname 'Gifford' is of English origin and is derived from a place name. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words 'gifu' meaning 'gift' and 'ford' meaning 'ford'. The name was likely given to someone who lived near a ford where gifts or tribute were exchanged.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Gifford' is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of the world including New Zealand and South Africa.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Gifford' include 'Giffarte', 'Giffard', 'Gifford', 'Gifforden', 'Giffordin', and 'Gifforton'. These variations may be the result of differing pronunciations or regional spelling variations.
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Gifford' have migrated and immigrated to various countries throughout history. This includes individuals who may have been part of the British colonial expansion or who migrated for economic or personal reasons.