Find out how popular the first name Alford has been for the last 46 years (from 1974 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Alford by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Alford is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Alford.

The history of the first name Alford

The name Alford is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "ald" meaning "old" and "ford" meaning a shallow place where a river or stream can be crossed. This suggests that the name likely originated as a place name, referring to an old ford or crossing point over a body of water.

Alford as a given name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in England. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landowners and tenants across England after the Norman Conquest. The name appears in various spellings, such as Alford, Alforda, and Alforde.

In medieval times, the name Alford was sometimes associated with places bearing that name, such as the town of Alford in Lincolnshire, England. This town's name is thought to derive from the Old English words "ald" and "ford," further reinforcing the name's connection to an old river crossing.

Notable historical figures with the given name Alford include Alford of Beverley, a 12th-century English scholar and theologian who wrote on the study of grammar and rhetoric. Another early bearer of the name was Alford of Marlborough, a 13th-century English philosopher and logician known for his work on the theory of consequences.

In the 16th century, Alford Batteley (1552-1614) was an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. During the same period, Alford Trussell (1573-1645) was an English landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament.

Moving into the 18th century, Alford Butler (1745-1828) was an Irish politician and barrister who served as a Member of the Irish House of Commons. In the following century, Alford Dugdale (1832-1907) was an English banker and philanthropist who co-founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (SPCC).

These examples illustrate the historical use of Alford as a given name, primarily among the English and Irish, dating back to the Middle Ages. While the name has remained relatively uncommon, it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, clergymen, politicians, and philanthropists.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Alford was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Alford, please contact us.

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