Denford Family History

Apparently from an unidentified place in Devon, perhaps (if the 1330 bearer really belongs here) from the lost place called Deneworthy in Membury, which is recorded as Deneord in 1086. If so, the surname exhibits the common interchange of -worth(y) and -ford.

The place-name derives from Old English denu ‘valley’ + worð worðig ‘enclosure’. From Denford (Northants), which is recorded as Deneforde in 1086, or Denford House in Kintbury (Berks), recorded as Denforda in the 10th century.

Both place-names mean ‘ford in a valley’ from Old English denu ‘valley’ + ford ‘ford, river-crossing’.