Surname Mumford - Meaning and Origin

Mumford: What does the surname Mumford mean?

The surname Mumford is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Mundfrith". This name is a compounded form of two Old English words - "mund", which means "protection", and "frith", which means "peace". Therefore, Mumford is understood to mean "protection and peace". The surname might have been initially given as a nickname to a peace-keeper or a protector. The name traces back to the medieval period in English history, and early references include a Robert Mundfrith noted in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk, dated 1166. Over time, Mundfrith turned into Mumford due to phonetic shifts and linguistic evolution. The name further gained popularity with the emergence of the famous British band "Mumford & Sons".

Mumford: Where does the name Mumford come from?

The last name Mumford is commonly found in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada. It is an English surname, with possible Welsh or Scottish origins.

In the United Kingdom, the last name Mumford can be found in scattered populations mainly in the southern counties. The largest populations are in the counties of Kent, Lincolnshire, and Surrey. It is also found in the cities of London and Glasgow, Scotland, primarily in cities with a larger immigrant population.

In the United States, the last name Mumford is most commonly found in the south in states such as Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas. It is also found in the Midwest and in the states of California and New York.

In Australia, the last name Mumford is found across most of the country, but the largest population is found in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

In Canada, the last name Mumford is found in most provinces, but the largest concentrations are in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The last name Mumford has maintained a presence in its originating countries throughout the centuries and its found around the world today. It is commonly found among English-speaking countries and in cities with larger immigrant populations.

Variations of the surname Mumford

Mumford is a surname derived from the old English word for a person who is a miller or has worked at a mill. The variants for Mumford include Mumfert, Mompherd, Mumfort, Momfort, and many more. While most variants retain the same pronunciation, Mumfert is pronounced as Mum-furt.

Mumfert is a common variant of Mumford. It has been noted in records going back as far as the 16th century in the United Kingdom and is still a relatively common surname. It could have been used as an alternative spelling of the surname to differentiate families with the same name.

Mompherd is another variant of Mumford. According to some sources, this could be an old-fashioned spelling of the same surname. It has been in use since at least the 17th century.

Mumfort and Momfort are two variants that could be the result of people mishearing the name being spoken. Over the years, people may have misheard the name and started using the wrong spelling of Mumford.

Surnames that might share the same origins as Mumford include Milford, Millerd, Millford, and Milward. These names are derived from the same old english word as Mumford and they were likely used for people who worked at a mill.

When doing genealogical research, it is important to consider all the variants and spellings of Mumford to ensure an accurate record of one's family tree. The same might be said for surnames believed to be connected to Mumford as they form a large part of one's ancestral history.

Famous people with the name Mumford

• Marcus Mumford, lead singer and founding member of the English folk rock band Mumford & Sons.
• Winston Mumford, American game show host and announcer best known for his work on Jeopardy!
• Dave Mumford, British sculptor, whose work is focused on animal forms and robots.
• Laurance Mumford, senior curator at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and well known for his work on 20th century architecture.
• John M. Mumford, American insurance executive who was president and founder of the National Life Insurance Company.
• Sir Joseph Mumford, British colonial administrator and Secretary to the Governor of Jamaica in the early 19th century.
• Joe Mumford, an American film director and producer, best known for his documentary films.
• Toby Mumford, an English actor best known for his roles in Mr. Bean's Holiday and Poirot.
• Arthur Mumford, an actor, best known for his roles in the stage adaptation of The Lord of the Flies and in the television series Foyle's War.
• Josiah Mumford, the founder of the Mumford Steel Company in 1892.

Other surnames

Mumfort