This is a locational name which derives form the village of Durnford as now spelt in Wiltshire, two miles from Amesbury. The translation of the name appears to be a combination of the Northern French personal name 'Durant' introduced after the 1066 invasion, and the Saxon 'Forda'. All the early recodings of the name came from the Wiltshire - Buckinghamshire area strangly suggesting that they were directly related to the original name holder as recorded below also who the Land Lord of the village. Alternative spelling include Dornford, Derneford, Dumford. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard de Durneford, which was dated 1273, The Wiltshire Pipe Rolls, during the reign of King Edward I, The Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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