Surname Montford - Meaning and Origin

Montford: What does the surname Montford mean?

The last name Montford is of French origin and is derived from geographical locations in northern France. The name is a composite of two French words, "mont" meaning "mountain" and "fort" meaning "strong." Therefore, Montford can be interpreted as "strong mountain." This could suggest that the ancestors who first adopted this surname may have lived in or near a prominent, strong, or perhaps fortified mountain within the region. Surnames that originate from geographical locations were often given to people to denote where they lived or came from. So, a person bearing the Montford surname could suggest ancestral links to the northern regions of France. It's also worth noting that the spelling of the name can vary, including Montfort, Monfort, and Mumford, among others. This surname has been present in England since the Norman Conquest in 1066 AD and is found in many English-speaking countries today.

Montford: Where does the name Montford come from?

The last name Montford is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. Specifically, there is a higher concentration in the southeast region of England, particularly in the counties of Surrey, East Sussex, and Hampshire. The name is also quite common in the East Midlands, including Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Leicestershire. Montford also appears in Scotland, mainly in the counties of Fife and Midlothian, and in Wales in the counties of Powys, Clwyd, and Glamorgan.

The earliest known spelling of the name Montford is found in a census record of 1524, which document the manor of Borstall in East Sussex as "Montford Manor". The most famous holder of the Montford name was Humphrey Stafford, the first Earl of Stafford, who was born in Caus Castle in Shropshire in 1371. Humphrey was given the title of Earl of Stafford and Baron of Montford in 1444.

Today, there are dozens of people with the last name Montford in the United Kingdom. To name a few, Phillip Montford, a British businessman, and George Montford, a British Army officer, both living in Hertfordshire; Jonathan Montford, an artist living in Essex; Samuel Montford, a barrister living in London; and Michael Montford, a professor of history at the University of Oxford.

Variations of the surname Montford

The surname Montford is of French origin and can be found in various spellings and variants. The variants of Montford include Montfort, Mounfort, Montforte, Montforde, Monford, Monfort, and Mundford. Some of its spellings include Mont Fouet, Montfoi, Mont Foy, Montfot, and Montfoin.

As a French surname, Montford is derived from a location such as a castle, a place, a fort, a mountain, or a pass and has been present in the region since centuries. It is most commonly found in northern France, specifically in Normandy and Picardie.

Notably, Montford was featured among the top surnames in England in the 19th century. A few famous people who have this surname are Quinlan Montford, descendant of Quinlan Montford Senior, an American printer responsible for some of the earliest African-American printworks; Olivia Montford, former US Olympic swimmer; and Judah Maccabee Montford, an American lawyer, politician, and philanthropist.

Today, the surname Montford has spread to other European countries and is slowly gaining global recognition. Throughout the world, many variants of the surname exist, with some families choosing to keep with the traditional spelling, while others opting for alternative spellings that may be more comfortable or pronounced easier.

Famous people with the name Montford

• Thomas Montford: English footballer who represented Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Hull City Football Club.
• Paul Montford: Australian sculptor and creator of some notable works of public art.
• John Montford: British soldier and politician who served in the House of Commons between 1784 and 1801.
• Jesse Montford: former professional American football player who played for the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys.
• Eleanor Montford: American author and illustrator of children's books.
• Fran Montford: former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Senators.
• Lily Montford: English stage and film actress best known for her roles in the horror films Curse of the Werewolf and Devil-Ship Pirates.
• Loretta Montford: Australian actress who has appeared in numerous television series, films, and stage productions.
• Erik Montford: Danish jazz saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist who is known for blending various musical styles.
• Bob Montford: American politician who served as the 39th Governor of West Virginia from 1985 to 1989.

Other surnames

Montfort