2,340 Global Ratchford Family Members

Ratchford Family History

This name, with variant spellings Rochford and Retchford, is of English locational origin, from either of two places called "Rochford", one in Essex and the other in Worcestershire. The former was first recorded as Roche(s)fort in the Domesday of 1086 and variously as Rocheford and Racheford in 1195 and 1200 respectively. The latter appeared as Recesford in the Domesday Book and as Rocheford in the 1242 "Fine Court Rolls of Worcestershire". Both places are so called from the Olde English pre 7th Century "raecc(e)", a hunting dog (perhaps a byname), plus "ford", a ford.