NameCensus.

UK surname

Hanford

An English habitational name for someone from Handforth in Cheshire or Handford in various other counties.

In the 1881 census there were 340 people recorded with the Hanford surname, ranking it #8,934 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 662, ranked #8,057, up from #8,934 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and Loughborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Neath Port Talbot.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hanford is 728 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 94.7%.

1881 census count

340

Ranked #8,934

Modern count

662

2016, ranked #8,057

Peak year

1999

728 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hanford had 340 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,934 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 662 in 2016, ranked #8,057.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 569 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Hanford surname distribution map

The map shows where the Hanford surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Hanford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hanford over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 218 #9,754
1861 historical 441 #5,853
1881 historical 340 #8,934
1891 historical 368 #9,464
1901 historical 469 #8,444
1911 historical 569 #7,112
1997 modern 697 #7,271
1998 modern 722 #7,299
1999 modern 728 #7,302
2000 modern 709 #7,420
2001 modern 638 #7,901
2002 modern 661 #7,847
2003 modern 646 #7,860
2004 modern 641 #7,918
2005 modern 606 #8,216
2006 modern 587 #8,420
2007 modern 607 #8,278
2008 modern 632 #8,085
2009 modern 663 #7,955
2010 modern 662 #8,125
2011 modern 674 #7,927
2012 modern 644 #8,130
2013 modern 668 #8,031
2014 modern 669 #8,069
2015 modern 659 #8,109
2016 modern 662 #8,057

Geography

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Where Hanfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Loughborough, Margam and Morton (incl. Hanthorpe). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Neath Port Talbot. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Loughborough Leicestershire
4 Margam Glamorganshire
5 Morton (incl. Hanthorpe) Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Neath Port Talbot 016 Neath Port Talbot
2 Neath Port Talbot 018 Neath Port Talbot
3 Neath Port Talbot 015 Neath Port Talbot
4 Neath Port Talbot 011 Neath Port Talbot
5 Neath Port Talbot 019 Neath Port Talbot

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hanford

These lists show first names that appear often with the Hanford surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hanford

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hanford, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Hanford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Hanford household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Hanford is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hanford is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hanford falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hanford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Hanford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hanford

The surname Hanford has its origins in England, where it emerged during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from a place name, specifically a location known as "Handforth" in the county of Cheshire. This place name is thought to have its roots in the Old English words "hond," meaning hand, and "ford," referring to a shallow crossing or ford over a river.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hanford surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Handforde," indicating its presence in the region during the Norman conquest of England.

In the 13th century, records show a Sir John de Hanford, a prominent figure who held lands in Cheshire. His family is believed to have taken their surname from the village of Handforth, further solidifying the connection between the name and the geographic location.

During the 16th century, a notable individual named Thomas Hanford (1516-1594) gained recognition as a Church of England clergyman and Bishop of Worcester. He played a significant role in the religious and intellectual climate of the time.

In the 17th century, a family of Hanfords migrated to the American colonies, establishing themselves in Connecticut. One of the earliest recorded members of this branch was Thomas Hanford (1611-1694), who served as a magistrate and deputy governor of the Connecticut Colony.

Another prominent figure bearing the Hanford surname was Sir John Hanford (1693-1768), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament. He held influential positions in the legal and political spheres of his time.

Throughout history, the Hanford surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Hanford in Dorset, Hanford in Staffordshire, and Hanford Mere in Shropshire, all of which may have contributed to the surname's evolution and variations in spelling.

It is worth noting that while the Hanford surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora, with individuals bearing this name found in various countries and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hanford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hanford surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Leicestershire leads with 53 Hanfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.54x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 53 14.54x
Glamorgan 41 7.16x
Devon 29 4.24x
Derbyshire 25 4.86x
Lincolnshire 23 4.38x
Staffordshire 23 2.07x
Middlesex 22 0.67x
Surrey 18 1.12x
Nottinghamshire 15 3.39x
Kent 11 0.98x
Lancashire 10 0.26x
Hampshire 8 1.19x
Durham 7 0.72x
Monmouthshire 7 2.95x
Warwickshire 6 0.72x
Cheshire 5 0.69x
Dorset 5 2.32x
Sussex 5 0.90x
Caernarfonshire 4 3.01x
Herefordshire 4 2.97x
Lanarkshire 4 0.38x
Carmarthenshire 2 1.44x
Cornwall 2 0.54x
Gloucestershire 2 0.31x
Clackmannanshire 1 3.68x
Cumberland 1 0.35x
Norfolk 1 0.20x
Suffolk 1 0.25x
Worcestershire 1 0.23x
Yorkshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loughborough in Leicestershire leads with 28 Hanfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 169.29x.

Place Total Index
Loughborough 28 169.29x
Morton In Bourn 22 2056.07x
Aberavon 10 189.75x
Coedfrank 9 226.70x
Eastwood 8 202.02x
Sheepshed 8 160.32x
Stoke 8 105.82x
Wolstanton 8 23.74x
Bishopwearmouth 7 8.34x
Langley Priory 7 35000.00x
Llanover 7 86.21x
Margam 7 109.72x
Neath 7 60.09x
Wolstanton Thursfield 7 518.52x
Leicester St Mary 6 20.37x
Llanwonno 6 29.17x
Southampton St Mary 6 14.16x
Tibshelf 6 238.10x
Aston 5 2.19x
Bethnal Green London 5 3.50x
Camberwell 5 2.38x
Clowne 5 243.90x
Islington London 5 1.57x
Kirkdale 5 7.62x
Plymouth Charles The 5 16.59x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 9.49x
Selsey 5 490.20x
Stockport 5 13.39x
Barony 4 1.49x
Deptford St Paul 4 4.62x
Dolwyddelan 4 277.78x
Dover St James 4 81.47x
Uplyme 4 388.35x
Woodbury 4 197.04x
Wyke Regis 4 129.03x
Aldridge 3 140.85x
Exeter St Sidwell 3 19.14x
Hereford St Owen 3 67.42x
Litchurch 3 14.49x
Long Eaton 3 44.18x
St Marylebone London 3 1.71x
Tottenham 3 5.73x
Wednesbury 3 10.82x
Arnold 2 30.91x
Bapchild 2 425.53x
Basford 2 9.79x
Dyffryn Clydach 2 144.93x
East Stonehouse 2 14.84x
Fernilee 2 166.67x
Hammersmith London 2 2.47x
Launcells 2 317.46x
Leicester St Margaret 2 2.25x
Liverpool 2 0.84x
Llanelly 2 6.41x
Manchester 2 1.14x
Mansfield 2 13.05x
Matlock 2 28.94x
Streatham 2 8.20x
Wilne 2 169.49x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 1.65x
Bromyard 1 56.18x
Ealing 1 3.40x
East Budleigh 1 31.06x
Frithelstock 1 158.73x
Hanley Castle 1 38.91x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 6.59x
Leamington Priors 1 4.90x
Melbourne 1 28.41x
Middlesbrough 1 2.36x
Newington 1 0.82x
Norwood 1 13.30x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.87x
Paignton 1 19.19x
Penge 1 4.76x
Sedgley 1 2.43x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.51x
St Pancras London 1 0.38x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.09x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 0.85x
Threlkeld 1 212.77x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hanford surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hanford surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 26
John 25
Charles 12
George 12
Edward 8
Joseph 7
Thomas 6
Frank 5
Henry 5
Robert 5
Arthur 4
James 4
Richard 3
Cecil 2
David 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Sidney 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Clement 1
Douglas 1
Ed.Arthur 1
Edwin 1
Emily 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Gervase 1
Guildford 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hopkin 1
Hugh 1
Infant 1
Jervese 1
Lot 1
Norman 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Samuel 1
Son 1
Thom. 1
Thos. 1
Willie 1
Wm. 1
Wm.George 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Hanford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hanford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 340 people were recorded with the Hanford surname. That placed it at #8,934 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hanford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 662 in 2016. That gives Hanford a modern rank of #8,057.

What does the Hanford surname mean?

An English habitational name for someone from Handforth in Cheshire or Handford in various other counties.

What does the Hanford map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hanford bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.