Spafford — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #18,648 in the US 1,475 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#18,648
▼ Down 1082 since 2000
People in the US
1,475
0.5 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Spafford Surname

What does the last name Spafford mean?

The surname Spafford carries the meaning "From a river crossing." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,475 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Spafford ranks as the #18,648 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Spafford come from?

The Spafford surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Spafford name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Spafford trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Spafford
Meaning From a river crossing
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #18,648
US Count (2010) 1,475
Per 100K People 0.5
First Letter S

Ethnic Distribution of Spafford

According to the US Census, the Spafford surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,475 Americans with the Spafford last name.

White 93.83%
Black 0.75%
Hispanic 2.51%
Asian/PI 0.75%
Native American 0.34%
Two+ Races 1.83%
Ethnic distribution of the Spafford surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White93.83%
Black0.75%
Hispanic2.51%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.75%
Native American0.34%
Two or More Races1.83%

Popularity of Spafford Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Spafford surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#17,566
1,476 people
Down 1082
Census 2010
#18,648
1,475 people

The number of Americans with the Spafford surname decreased by 1 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Spafford Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Spafford ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Spafford

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Spafford.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Spafford.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spafford

The surname Spafford is of English origin. From a river crossing
The surname Spafford is ranked #18,648 in the United States with approximately 1,475 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
From a river crossing. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Spafford surname is distributed as: 93.8% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Spafford ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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