Melford
A habitational surname derived from the town of Melford in Suffolk, England.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Melford. That puts it at #79,598 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Melford surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#79,598
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
239
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 239 bearers of the surname Melford in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 79598th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Melford, the largest self-reported group is White at 63.6%. The next largest groups are Black (31.4%) and Hispanic (4.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Melford
The surname Melford is of English origin, and it is believed to have emerged in the medieval period around the 13th or 14th century. It is derived from the place name Melford, which is a town located in the county of Suffolk, England. The name Melford itself is thought to be derived from the Old English words "mel" meaning "mill" and "ford" meaning "a shallow place where a river or stream can be crossed."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Melford can be traced back to the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named Robert de Melford was mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by that time and was likely derived from the place name Melford.
In the 14th century, a prominent figure named Sir John Melford was recorded in historical documents. He was a knight who served during the reign of King Edward III and participated in the Hundred Years' War against France. Sir John Melford was born around 1320 and died in 1380.
Another notable individual with the surname Melford was Thomas Melford, who lived in the 16th century. He was a merchant and landowner in the town of Melford, and his family played a significant role in the local community during that period.
In the 17th century, a woman named Elizabeth Melford gained recognition as a renowned playwright and poet. She was born in 1625 in Melford and was celebrated for her literary works, which often explored themes of love and nature.
During the 18th century, a prominent figure named William Melford was recorded as a wealthy landowner and philanthropist in the county of Suffolk. He was born in 1712 and made substantial contributions to the local community through his charitable endeavors.
It is worth noting that the surname Melford may also have variations in spelling, such as Melfort or Melfourd, which were more common in earlier times. Additionally, the name has been associated with various place names in Suffolk, such as Melford Hall, which was a historic manor house and estate owned by the Melford family.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Melford
Among Census respondents with the surname Melford, the largest self-reported group is White at 63.6%. The next largest groups are Black (31.4%) and Hispanic (4.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Melford bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Melford surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White63.6%
- Black or African American31.4%
- Hispanic or Latino4.2%
- Unknown or suppressed0.8%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Melford surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #76,946 | #79,598 | -3.4% |
| Count | 232 | 239 | 3.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.08 | -11.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Melford bearers went from 232 to 239 (+3.0% change). The surname moved down 2,652 positions in the national ranking, going from #76,946 to #79,598.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Melford
FAQ
Melford surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Melford?
The surname Melford holds position #79,598 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Melford surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Melford, the largest self-reported group is White at 63.6%. The next largest groups are Black (31.4%) and Hispanic (4.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.