Tetford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Tetford

What does the name Tetford mean?

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Tetford family, who lived in Lincolnshire, at Tetforde.

Early Origins of the Tetford family

The surname Tetford was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Tetforde from very ancient times, some say from the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D. They were conjecturally descended from Gilbert of Tetford who held his lands from the Archbishop of York at the time of the Domesday Book Survey in 1086. At that time the village consisted of a church, a mill, and nine outlying mills.

Early History of the Tetford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tetford research. Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tetford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tetford Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Tetford, Thetford, Titford, Thetforde and others.

Early Notables of the Tetford family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Tetforde of Lincolnshire

Tetford migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Tetford Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Alfred Tetford, aged 22, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1874