Surname Hawksford - Meaning and Origin
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Hawksford: What does the surname Hawksford mean?
Hawksford is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English 'hafoc' meaning a hawk and 'ford' meaning a ford, or shallow passage for crossing water. The name refers to the home of a person who lived near a hawk's ford, or a region with a lot of hawks.
Most likely the earliest bearers of this surname were birdhunters or falconers, as the falcon appears to have been an important bird of prey to the Anglo-Saxons. The surname could also have been given to a person who live near a body of water where birds of prey congregated. The name may have also been given to someone based on their resemblance to a bird of prey, usually a skilled or brave warrior.
Throughout history, this surname has appeared in references to various branches of the armed forces, suggesting that its original bearers were known for their courage in battle. Today, the surname Hawksford is mostly found in England, especially in the county of Sussex, although bearers of the name can be found in other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisHawksford: Where does the name Hawksford come from?
The last name Hawksford is not commonly found today.
It was a Norman baronial name, which suggests it was more common in England and Normandy during the Middle Ages than it is today. It was derived from a location in northern France, now known as Crèvecoeur-en-Auge, near Honfleur. By the 16th century, it had become a prominent family name in the British Isles.
Since the 16th century, the name Hawksford has been mostly restricted to the UK. The surname is still fairly common in England, mostly residing in the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Avon. It is less common in Scotland, but it is still recorded.
The name has also spread outward from Britain. It has been recorded in Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Hawksford is also a spelling of the French last name Havard, which is still common in France.
Overall, the name Hawksford is not particularly common in any part of the world today. However, it still remains in Britain and other English-speaking countries, suggesting its lineage is still prominent and respected even after 500 years.
Variations of the surname Hawksford
Hawksford is an English surname originating in the county of Berkshire. This surname is derived from the Old English words ‘hawk’ meaning a bird of prey, and ‘ford’ which refers to a shallow part of a river or other body of water. The name first appeared as ‘Hawksford’ during the reign of King Edward III (r. 1327-1377). Variations of Hawksford include Hawkesford, Hawkesfort, Hawkford, Hawkfords and Hawksfork.
There are also many alternative spellings of this surname, including Hawksforde, Hawkforde, Hawksforth, Hawkfurd, Hawksfurde, Hawkford and Hawksfor. Other surnames related to Hawksford include Hawker, Hawkerson, Hawkins, Hawksworth, Harker, Heykesford, Heksford and Hawkisford.
These variants of Hawksford have been used interchangeably, leading to some confusion as to which is the original or correct spelling. Plus, the name has been widely adopted by many different families so it may not be easy to determine the origin of an individual surname. For example, it may have been adopted by an English immigrant who wanted to simply adopt an English-sounding name.
In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames related to Hawksford include Hawkesford, Hawkesfort, Hawkford, Hawkfords, Hawksfork, Hawksforde, Hawkforde, Hawksforth, Hawkfurd, Hawksfurde, Hawkford, Hawksfor, Hawker, Hawkerson, Hawkins, Hawksworth, Harker, Heykesford, Heksford and Hawkisford. Every family with a surname derived from Hawksford has its own unique origin story.
Famous people with the name Hawksford
- Anne Hawksford: an English hairstylist who won the British Hairdresser of the Year in 2003 and has featured in numerous magazines.
- Jenna Hawksford: a professional indoor volleyball player who has competed in various international tournaments.
- Jack Hawksford: a British television director and writer who has worked on shows such as 1990s cult series Press Gang, BAFTA-winning Game of Thrones and Yonderland.
- Caroline Hawksford: founder and director of the Ahvas Group, an outdoors and leisure activities company offering luxury camping experiences.
- John Hawksford: British journalist and author who wrote the award winning books Robert Adair and the History of the World and Imperial Gamebooks.
- Philip Hawksford: an Australian composer and music producer who contributed to albums by artists such as Catatonia and ATB.
- Hillary Hawksford: an American social media influencer and former university rower who has competed in numerous competitions and was crowned US champion in the single sculls event.
- Esther Hawksford: a British fashion designer who has worked with international boutiques and press such as Elle, Vogue and Stylist Magazine.
- Adele Hawksford: a British photographer who has showcased her work in galleries across the UK and is known for her portrait series of historic buildings and locations.
- Barney Hawksford: a British interior designer who is recognised for his modern and minimal interiors which have been featured in publications such as Livingetc.