Stafford is an English given name with origins dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era. The name is derived from the Old English words "stæf" meaning "staff" and "ford" meaning a shallow river crossing or ford. It likely originated as a place name referring to a ford where travelers crossed with the aid of a staff.

The earliest recorded use of the name Stafford can be traced back to the 7th century AD in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England. It was particularly prevalent in the West Midlands region, where the town of Stafford and the county of Staffordshire are located.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Stafford was Stafford, a 7th-century priest and missionary who was sent by Pope Vitalian to help establish Christianity in the Kingdom of Essex. In the 9th century, there is record of a nobleman named Stafford who held land in Staffordshire during the reign of King Alfred the Great.

During the Middle Ages, the name Stafford became associated with several prominent noble families in England. The most notable was the House of Stafford, a powerful dynasty that produced several Earls and Dukes of Buckingham and played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses.

Some notable historical figures with the name Stafford include:

1. Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham (1402-1460), a prominent English nobleman and military commander during the Wars of the Roses.

2. Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (1478-1521), a courtier and advisor to King Henry VIII who was executed for treason.

3. William Stafford (1593-1684), an English poet and diplomat during the 17th century.

4. William Howard Stafford (1914-1993), an American poet and academic who served as the Poet Laureate of Oregon.

5. Jo Stafford (1917-2008), an American traditional pop music singer and actress, known for her work with husband Paul Weston and their television series The Jo Stafford Show.

Throughout its history, the name Stafford has been predominantly used in England and English-speaking countries, though it has also found some use in other European cultures influenced by English traditions.