Williford
A surname usually tied to an English place name, with Williford likely a regional spelling of Wilford or a related local form.
The #4,248 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 36,967 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The name is generally taken from a place-name origin. The historical excerpts point to Wilford in Nottinghamshire, and also suggest Williford as a Staffordshire form or spelling variant. In this kind of surname, the first element is likely the old personal name Wil/Will, with the second element from Old English ford, meaning a river crossing.
History
Williford is most familiar as an English surname that later traveled to North America. The spelling has likely varied over time, with forms such as Wilford and Williford appearing as local or scribal variants. Because the cited sources are brief and incidental, the exact local development is a little uncertain, but the place-name connection is clear.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The element ford is very common in English place-names and surnames, and usually points to an old river crossing or shallow stream crossing.
From the historical record
“Wilford. A loc. n., Notts. Or Williford, Staffs Wilgoss. See Wildgoose 278”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)