UK surname
A locational surname derived from the town of Herford in Germany.
In the 1881 census there were 119 people recorded with the Herford surname, ranking it #17,841 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #17,841 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Eccles and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herford is 171 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 58.0%.
1881 census count
119
Ranked #17,841
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1861
171 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Herford surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Herford surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 87 | #18,695 |
| 1861 | historical | 171 | #13,692 |
| 1881 | historical | 119 | #17,841 |
| 1891 | historical | 155 | #17,920 |
| 1901 | historical | 96 | #23,342 |
| 1911 | historical | 77 | #25,106 |
| 1997 | modern | 48 | #32,878 |
| 1998 | modern | 52 | #32,732 |
| 1999 | modern | 53 | #32,746 |
| 2000 | modern | 53 | #32,805 |
| 2001 | modern | 53 | #32,674 |
| 2002 | modern | 54 | #32,927 |
| 2003 | modern | 52 | #33,160 |
| 2004 | modern | 53 | #33,336 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 50 | #34,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 50 | #34,521 |
| 2009 | modern | 47 | #34,856 |
| 2010 | modern | 47 | #35,009 |
| 2011 | modern | 48 | #34,926 |
| 2012 | modern | 46 | #35,053 |
| 2013 | modern | 51 | #34,834 |
| 2014 | modern | 52 | #34,803 |
| 2015 | modern | 52 | #34,775 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Eccles, Manchester, Liverpool and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 2 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Herford surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Herford, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Herford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Herford household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Herford is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Herford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Herford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Herford has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the town of Hertford, located in Hertfordshire. The name is thought to have originated from the Old English words "heort" meaning "deer" and "ford" referring to a shallow crossing point over a river.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the renowned Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. This document mentions individuals with the surname Herford residing in Hertfordshire during the late 11th century.
During the 13th century, several variations of the name appeared, including Hereford, Hertford, and Hertforde. These spellings reflected the local pronunciation and dialect of the time. Notably, in 1273, a Robert de Herford was listed as a landowner in the county of Hertfordshire.
The town of Hertford itself has a rich history, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It was a significant settlement and administrative center, which likely contributed to the prominence of the surname in the surrounding areas.
Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname Herford. One such figure was Nicholas Herford (c. 1330-1417), a prominent English theologian and philosopher who studied at the University of Oxford. He was known for his writings on logic and his critique of the Catholic Church's teachings.
Another prominent figure was Roger Herford (1510-1584), an English Protestant minister and theologian during the Reformation. He played a crucial role in the translation and dissemination of the English Bible and was a vocal opponent of Catholic doctrine.
In the literary realm, Oliver Herford (1863-1935), an American writer and illustrator, gained recognition for his humorous verse and illustrations, particularly his work featuring anthropomorphic animals and satirical commentary on social issues.
Additionally, the Herford family had a notable presence in the legal field. Sir William Herford (1710-1773) served as a judge and Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in England, while his son, William Herford (1741-1805), followed in his footsteps as a distinguished lawyer and judge.
The name Herford has also been associated with various locations throughout England, such as Herford Bridge in Hertfordshire and Herford Manor, a historic estate in Wiltshire, further cementing its connections to the country's rich heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herford surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 43 Herfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 43 | 3.12x |
| Somerset | 20 | 10.70x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 1.03x |
| Devon | 8 | 3.31x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 1.79x |
| Cheshire | 6 | 2.34x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.52x |
| Wiltshire | 4 | 3.90x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.53x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 2.00x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 0.99x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 0.88x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.68x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.19x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.66x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 12 Herfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.37x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 12 | 19.37x |
| Barton Upon Irwell | 9 | 86.79x |
| Pawlett | 9 | 4285.71x |
| Payhembury | 7 | 4117.65x |
| Upton In Chester | 6 | 2068.97x |
| Laleham | 5 | 2272.73x |
| Rushall | 5 | 216.45x |
| Wakefield | 5 | 56.63x |
| Withington | 5 | 112.61x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 4 | 18.28x |
| Old Cleeve | 4 | 597.01x |
| Pitminster | 4 | 727.27x |
| Everton | 3 | 6.83x |
| Harpurhey | 3 | 157.07x |
| Salisbury The Close | 3 | 1200.00x |
| St Anne Soho London | 3 | 45.25x |
| Wigan | 3 | 15.58x |
| Edgbaston | 2 | 22.03x |
| Ellenborough Ewanrigg | 2 | 289.86x |
| Hackney London | 2 | 3.07x |
| Llandaff | 2 | 29.76x |
| Prestbury | 2 | 357.14x |
| Walsall Foreign | 2 | 9.88x |
| Aberystruth | 1 | 13.51x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 5.34x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 5.69x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.35x |
| Claines | 1 | 24.04x |
| Exeter St Mary Major | 1 | 68.49x |
| Golborne | 1 | 55.56x |
| Islington London | 1 | 0.89x |
| Lancaster | 1 | 12.21x |
| Rimpton | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Saddleworth | 1 | 11.27x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 1 | 18.38x |
| Stoke | 1 | 37.45x |
| Thornton In Fylde | 1 | 33.22x |
| Twickenham | 1 | 20.08x |
| Warminster | 1 | 44.44x |
| Weston Super Mare | 1 | 21.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Herford surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Herford surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 119 people were recorded with the Herford surname. That placed it at #17,841 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Herford a modern rank of #34,889.
A locational surname derived from the town of Herford in Germany.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Herford bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.