name
Uncommon
Bedford
BEHD-fuhd
Bedford (name) means a town in England and its associated surname, also several places in the United States named after it. Example: “They drove through Bedford on the way north.”
name
1
A town in England and its associated surname, also several places in the United States named after it.
"They drove through Bedford on the way north."
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Etymology
From Middle English Bedforde, Bedeford, from Old English Bedaford, Bedanford, equivalent to Bede's + ford. The civil parish is named after John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford (1710 - 1771). Coined by British-Dutch surveyor Samuel Holland.
Rhymes for Bedford
See all rhymes for Bedford →Frequently asked questions
What does “Bedford” mean?
The word “Bedford” means a town in England and its associated surname, also several places in the United States named after it.
How do you pronounce “Bedford”?
“Bedford” is pronounced BEHD-fuhd (/ˈbɛdfə(ɹ)d/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bedford” in a sentence?
Here is “Bedford” used in a sentence: “They drove through Bedford on the way north.”
What part of speech is “Bedford”?
“Bedford” is a name.
Is “Bedford” a common word?
“Bedford” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Bedford a place name, a surname, or both?
Bedford is both: it began as the name of a town in England and later became a surname derived from that place. Over time it was also carried by settlers to the United States, where several towns were named Bedford after the English original or after people who bore the surname.
Why are there multiple towns called Bedford in the United States?
American places are often named after English towns by early settlers who wanted to honor their place of origin, or after prominent individuals with the surname Bedford. This naming pattern explains why the name Bedford appears in more than one U.S. state rather than referring to a single fixed location.
Is Bedford always capitalized?
Yes. As a place name and a surname, Bedford is a proper noun and should always start with a capital letter, regardless of which town or person it refers to.
