Surname Gepford - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gepford: What does the surname Gepford mean?
The last name Gepford is English in origin and dates back to the pre-medieval period of time. It is derived from the Old English words ‘gepp’ and ‘ford’. The word ‘gepp’ means goat, while ‘ford’ was used to refer to a shallow river crossing. Therefore, the surname Gepford literally translates to ‘goat’s ford’ and likely referred to a crossing where goats grazed.
The surname first appears on record in the 12th century, when an Alan de Gepford was recorded in the Lincolnshire tax rolls. Later records show that the name was most widespread in the counties of Dorset, Oxfordshire and Somerset, indicating that it was likely first established in the area.
Although the name is no longer common, there have been many famous bearers of the name throughout history. For example, in the 18th century, George Gepford served for a short time as Prime Minister of Britain. Also, during the Victorian period, the British art scene was heavily influenced by the prominent Gepford family. The painter John Gepford and the sculptor William Gepford both produced many important works during this era.
Overall, the last name Gepford has endured for centuries and can be traced back to early English roots. It remains a reminder of an ancient ford where goats frequently crossed over a shallow river.
Order DNA origin analysisGepford: Where does the name Gepford come from?
The last name Gepford is quite uncommon today. It is found mainly in parts of the United States, primarily in the Midwestern and Southern states. The states where there is a greater concentration of the Gepford surname are Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Gepford is primarily a Germanic surname, derived from the ancient Germanic word “geburt”, which means something along the lines of “birth” and “ford” for meaning a way or path. This might suggest that the Gepford surname originated as a result of a family line whose members were either of Germanic origin or had relatives of Germanic origin.
It is quite possible that the Gepford surname was brought to the United States many generations ago by immigrants, as the surname is not found at all in Germany today. Immigrants brought Gepford with them from different Germanic regions to the United States back in the 1700s and 1800s.
Today the surname Gepford is still found mainly in the Midwestern and Southern states of the United States. However, with the growth of the Internet, people are now able to connect with their relatives across the globe, so it is possible to find people bearing the name Gepford living in other countries too.
Variations of the surname Gepford
The surname Gepford is most commonly found as Gepford, however, there are several other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Gepferd and Gerford are two common spelling variants, while Gepfert and Gepfard are less common variants. In some cases, the spelling may have morphed over the generations, resulting in variants such as Gafford, Gaffert, Gaphord, Giffard, Goofor, Goyfard, Goffard, and Gipford.
Surnames of the same origin include Gepken, Gepkenhagen, Gepkehagen, and Gepfin. These surnames generally have their roots in the Old German name "Gebefreide," which means "free as a gift," making them all variants of the same origin.
Of the many variants of Gepford, the spelling may have been changed due to regional dialects, accents, dialects, or even when immigrants changed their surnames as they moved from one area or country to another.
Ultimately, Gepford is a unique surname with a rich history and numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Further research into the family tree might reveal more about the origins of the surname and associated variants.
Famous people with the name Gepford
- Renée Gepford: American actress best known for her voice performance in the 2020 animated movie Soul. 2.Ryder Gepford: American musician and a founding member of the American alternative rock band Young the Giant
- Fred Gepford: American beautiful-game inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Heidi Gepford: American country music artist and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter.
- Pete Gepford: American country music singer, songwriter and record producer.
- Mario Gepford: American Major League Soccer player and the all-time leading goalscorer for the club DC United.
- David Gepford: Entrepreneur, angel investor, and business tycoon.
- Bill Gepford: American former Major League Baseball player and Hall of Famer.
- Barney Gepford: American former National Football League player.
- Brad Gepford: American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA.