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Wreford Family History

Wreford Surname Meaning

Apparently from a lost place in Devon recorded as Wreyford 1344 in Patent Rolls (Devon). The place may take its name from the river Wray.

In Old English, ford means ‘shallow place by which water can be crossed’. This etymology suggests that the location was significant for crossing waterways, indicating its importance in the past.

Such geographical names often reflect the landscape and the practical needs of the communities that inhabited them. The combination of the river name and geographical term illustrates the connection between the natural environment and human settlement.

Wreyford's historical context adds depth to our understanding of the area's development over time. As a recorded site, it provides insights into the social and geographic changes that have occurred.

Understanding places like Wreyford can illuminate the cultural heritage of Devon and the significance of its lost locations.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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Where is the Wreford family from?

You can see how Wreford families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Wreford family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Wreford families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 237 Wreford families living in Devon. This was about 66% of all the recorded Wreford's in United Kingdom. Devon had the highest population of Wreford families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Wreford surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Wreford ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Farmer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Wreford. 20% of Wreford men worked as a Farmer and 73% of Wreford women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Wreford were Farmer Heavy Worker and Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Wreford | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Farmer
    20%
  • Retired
    15%
  • Dairy Farmer
    10%
  • Farmer Heavy Worker
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    73%
  • Private Means
    6%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%
  • Domestic Duties
    3%

What Wreford family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 9,000 census records available for the last name Wreford. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Wreford census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Wreford

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Wreford. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Wreford immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 601 military records available for the last name Wreford. For the veterans among your Wreford ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Wreford military records

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What is the average Wreford lifespan?

Between 1970 and 2001, in the United States, Wreford life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1971, and highest in 1990. The average life expectancy for Wreford in 1970 was 56, and 74 in 2001.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Wreford ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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