This interesting name is of English locational origin from "Guildford", in Surrey, recorded "Gyldeford" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, circa 800, "Guldeford" in the Domesday Book, 1086 and "Geldeford" in the Pipe Rolls 1130-1156. The placename means "the ford where golden flowers grew", from the old English elements "gylde", a derivative of gold and of the same meaning as "golde, marigold", as there is some belief that the area was renowned for its wild marigolds in the dark ages. Martha Gullyford was married at St. Martins, Ludgate, London in 1558. At Broad Creek in Wiltshire, Alse, daughter of Thomas Gilford was christened on February 24th 1625, while at St. Dunstans in the East, London, the christening of Sarah, daughter of Henry and Ann Gilford took place on April 27th 1640. Zachariah Gillford was baptised at St. Dunstans, Stepney, London in 1658. Stephen Gilford married Jane Kimber at Eastern Royal, Wiltshire on October 13th 1791. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jonas Gullyford, which was dated March 5th 1557, christening witness at St. Martin Lndgate, London, during the reign of Queen Mary, "Bloody Mary", 1554 - 1558. 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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