Summary

The surname RADFORD has English origins and is derived from a combination of the Old English elements 'read' which means 'red' and 'ford' which means 'ford or river crossing.' It is believed that the name RADFORD originally referred to someone who lived near a red ford or a river crossing with reddish water. Over time, the surname spread to various parts of the world through migration and colonization.
There are
12956
Radfords in the USA
Radford is the
2785th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Radford

EwingJ.

Ewing J. Bullert is an American politician who served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1999 to 2006.

SharonWood

Sharon Wood is a Canadian mountaineer and the first North American woman to summit Mount Everest.

EdwardRadford

Edward Radford was an American military officer who served as the Director of the United States Atomic Energy Commission from 1952 to 1955.

JohnRadford

John Radford is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward for Arsenal and West Ham United.

HazelRadford

Hazel Radford is a British para-archer who won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.

MatthewRadford

Matthew Radford is a British mathematician known for his contributions to the field of representation theory.

LindaRadford

Linda Radford is an American retired swimmer who won a bronze medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

PamelaRadford

Pamela Radford is a British former competitive ice dancer who represented Great Britain in international competitions.

ScottRadford

Scott Radford is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the NHL.

DorothyRadford

Dorothy Radford was a British musicologist known for her research on 18th-century English music.

Radford Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Radford' is of English origin and is derived from a place name. It is a combination of the Old English words 'raed' meaning 'counsel' or 'advice' and 'ford' meaning 'ford' or 'river crossing.' The name likely referred to someone who lived near or was associated with a ford that was known for its strategic or important council meetings.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Radford' is most commonly found in England, particularly in the counties of Devon, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire. It is also found in smaller numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Radford' include 'Radbourne,' 'Radburn,' 'Radforth,' 'Radvord,' 'Radeford,' 'Radport,' 'Radfort,' and 'Radafford.'
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Radford' have migrated or immigrated to various countries throughout history, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Some of these migrations may have been influenced by factors such as economic opportunities, colonization, or family ties.