Sandford is a name of English origin, derived from Old English words "sand" and "ford," which together mean "river shallow enough to be forded." The name originally referred to someone who lived near such a ford.
The name Sandford has been used historically in England, with its earliest known usage dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086. In this record, a village named Sandford is listed in Somerset, suggesting that the name was already in use during this time period.
Over the centuries, the spelling of Sandford has varied somewhat, with forms such as Sandeford, Sandforde, and Sanford also appearing in historical records. Despite these variations, the core meaning of the name has remained consistent: someone who lives near a fordable river crossing.
Today, Sandford is still used as a given name, particularly for boys, but it can also be found as a surname in some families with historic ties to the English countryside. While not one of the most common names today, Sandford remains an intriguing option for those seeking a distinctive and historically grounded moniker.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Sandford has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1912 and 1972, there were a total of 421 births registered with the name Sandford.
The years with the highest number of Sandford births were 1947 with 19 births and 1950 with 15 births. This suggests that these decades, particularly the mid-20th century, were the periods when the name was most prevalent.
However, the popularity of the name has fluctuated significantly over the years. For instance, there were no reported births with the name Sandford between 1932 and 1946, indicating a drop in its use during that time. Similarly, from 1968 to 1971, there were only three recorded births with the name Sandford.
These statistics illustrate how the popularity of names can ebb and flow over time, reflecting societal trends and personal preferences. While Sandford may have been a popular choice in certain periods, its usage has generally been quite rare throughout history, as evidenced by the total number of births compared to other names during these years.