Hanford Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Hanford Origin:

England

Origins of Hanford:

According to the early recordings of the spelling of the surname, this interesting and unique name was listed in at least the four spellings such as Hanaford, Handford, Handforth, and Hanford. It is an English geographical surname. It acquires from either the hamlet of Hanaford in Devon, or Handforth in the district of Cheshire, or from a similar place called Handford, but was famous locally as Hanford, in Staffordshire. The meaning of the name in all situations is probably “Hana’s Ford,” with Hana being a first introduction name. However, “hana” also mentioned the cock bird, so it is possible that the place names relate to forts where for some reason they kept cock birds, probably fighting cocks. The surname was first noted in the 14th century, and other previous examples are Richard de Honford, in the Pipe Rolls of Cheshire, in 1398, and Richard Handforth of Godley, Cheshire in 1545. Next examples contained as Richard Hanford of Warwick in 1468, and John Handford of Devon, in 1642.

Variations:

More common variations are: Hanaford, Haniford, Hannford, Haneford, Hainford, Hanfford, Hanfordt, Hanoford, Haanford, Hanforde.

England:

The origins of the surname Hanford appeared in Cheshire where people held a family seat from earlier times. Some say better before the invasion of Normans and the entrance of Duke William at Hastings1066 A.D.

The very first recorded spelling of the family name was shown to be that of Simon de Hanford, dated about 1230, in the “Pipe Rolls of the division of Somerset.” It was during the time of King Henry III who was known to be the “The Frenchman,” dated 1216 – 1272. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Hanford had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Hanford landed in the United States in two different centuries respectively in the 17th and 19th. Some of the people with the name Hanford who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Eglin Hanford at the age of 46, landed in New England in the year 1635.

The following century saw more Hanford surnames arrive. Some of the people with the name Hanford who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Andrew Hanford, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851. Henry Hanford at the age of 23, arrived in Mobile, Ala in the year 1856. John Hanford at the age of 17, landed in New York in the year 1864.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Hanford: United States 2,339; England 559; Wales 226; South Africa 110; Australia 89; Canada 73; New Zealand 50; Scotland 26; Spain 6; Iraq 2.

Notable People:

Benjamin “Ben” Hanford (1861 – January 24, 1910) was an American Democratic leader during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Cornelius Holgate Hanford (April 1849 – March 1926) was an American justice and the first United States Judge for the District of Washington, who retired his office under threat of impeachment. He was the younger brother of the newspaper editor, Thaddeus Hanford. The former agricultural community of Hanford, Washington was named for him.

Frank Hanford (January 1853 – November 1921) was an American leader and business man in the state of Washington. He was selected to the Seattle City Council in 1890 and the Washington House of Representatives in the year 1895.

Henry Hanford (1784–1866) was the first white settler of Lewistown, Ohio, United States.

James Madison Hanford (1827–1911) was an American railroad manager. The city of Hanford, California was called after him.

Jamie Hanford was born in May in the year 1975. He is an American lacrosse player who plays for the Rochester Knighthawks in the National Lacrosse League. He is famous as a face-off specialist; he was picked up by the Titans as a free agent after playing five seasons with the Colorado Mammoth.

Thaddeus Hanford, Jr. (1847–1892) was an American newspaper manager.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Watton, co. Lincoln). Gu. three mullets ar. Crest—A cubit arm erect, vested or, cuffed ar. holding in the hand ppr. an estoile gold.
2) (Wollashill; one of the, knightly families of co. Worcester, recorded in the first edition of Mr. Shirley’s work, Noble and Gentle Men of England). Motto—Memorare novissima. (co. Chester). Sa. a star of eight rays ar. Crest—On a chapeau gu. turned up erm. a wivern of the first, wings expanded ar.
3) (co. Lincoln). Gu. a bend betw. six mullets ar.
4) (co. Somerset). Ar. two bends wavy sa.