Stafford Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Stafford Name Meaning: Locational name for those who came from Stafford in Staffordshire. Stafford most likely originated from Old English 'staef' 'landing place' + 'ford' As in river crossing. Another spelling of the surname could also have meant 'stoney ford'.

First recorded in the Domesday book.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Stafford Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Stafford family

Profession Census Frequency
School 758
Coal Miner Hewer 65
General Labourer 63
Labourer 56
Private Means 54
Farmer 46
General Servant (domestic) 39
Farm Labourer 36
Dressmaker 35
None 32
At Home 29
House Keeper 28
Domestic Servant 25
Clerk 22
Butcher 22
Cotton Weaver 21
Housekeeper 21
Shop Assistant 20
Dress Maker 17
General Servant Domestic 16
Joiner 16
Weaver 16
Stone Mason 14
Home 14
Carter 14

Stafford Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Stafford 100% 47,390
2 Staford 88% 296
3 Stofford 88% 196

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The surname Stafford is the most popular version of all its varients

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