Find out how popular the last name Oldford is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Oldford.

Oldford, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Oldford surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oldford in America

Oldford is the 83834th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oldford surname appeared 224 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Oldford.

We can also compare 2010 data for Oldford to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Oldford

The surname Oldford originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "eald" meaning old and "ford" referring to a shallow river crossing or low-lying area.

One of the earliest written accounts of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1186, where a William de Oldeford is mentioned. This suggests that the name was initially associated with a place, likely a settlement or location near an old ford.

During the medieval period, the surname Oldford appeared in various legal documents and records across several counties in England, including Yorkshire, Worcestershire, and Oxfordshire. The spelling variations included Oldeford, Oldford, and Ouldeford, reflecting the inconsistencies in written records at the time.

One notable historical figure bearing the Oldford surname was Sir John Oldford (c. 1390-1456), a wealthy landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire in the 15th century. He was also known for his involvement in the Wars of the Roses, supporting the House of York.

Another individual of note was Thomas Oldford (c. 1520-1585), a prominent merchant and alderman in the City of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers and contributed to the rebuilding of several churches in the city after the Great Fire of London.

In the 17th century, the Oldford name was associated with several places in England, including Oldford Manor in Somerset and Oldford Farm in Gloucestershire. This further reinforces the connection between the surname and geographical locations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the New World can be found in the passenger lists of the ship "John and Sara" in 1635, which brought Richard Oldford (c. 1610-1680) to Massachusetts Bay Colony. He later settled in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and his descendants played a role in the early development of the region.

Another notable figure was Captain John Oldford (1699-1768), a British naval officer who served during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. He was commended for his bravery and leadership in several battles against the French and Spanish fleets.

As the centuries progressed, the Oldford surname continued to spread across England and eventually to other parts of the world, carried by individuals seeking new opportunities or fleeing religious persecution. However, its origins can be traced back to the rural landscapes of medieval England, where the name first emerged from the old fords that dotted the countryside.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oldford

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Oldford.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Oldford was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Oldford has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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