name
Uncommon
Stafford
STA-fuhd
Stafford (name) means the county town of Staffordshire in England, and the surname and given name derived from it. Example: “They toured the old castle ruins just outside Stafford.”
name
1
The county town of Staffordshire in England, and the surname and given name derived from it.
"They toured the old castle ruins just outside Stafford."
noun
1
Short informal name for a Staffordshire bull terrier.
"Staffords are an amazing breed to own and to be invited to compete at crufts is an honour."
— Eleanor Ovens, Crufts 2019: South Cumbria's winners and contenders (2019)
"Their Stafford was gentle with the kids despite its muscular build."
"Staffords are a loyal and lovable breed that are great with children. Digger had a great time on the walk playing with the other dogs and enjoying the lovely weather."
— Clare Damodaran (2016)
"Like all terriers, Staffords are diggers, so it is important to reinforce fences by embedding them in concrete or burying chicken wire at the bottom to prevent escapes."
— , Staffordshire Bull Terrier (2018)
How to use Stafford
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn English town and surname, or informally, a Staffordshire bull terrier.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Staffords
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They toured the old castle ruins just outside _____.
Etymology
From Old English stæð ("landing place") plus ford, describing a river crossing near a landing spot.
Synonyms
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staffy
Rhymes for Stafford
See all rhymes for Stafford →Frequently asked questions
What does “Stafford” mean?
The word “Stafford” means the county town of Staffordshire in England, and the surname and given name derived from it. In plain terms, an English town and surname, or informally, a Staffordshire bull terrier.
How do you pronounce “Stafford”?
“Stafford” is pronounced STA-fuhd (/ˈstæfə(ɹ)d/ in IPA).
How do you use “Stafford” in a sentence?
Here is “Stafford” used in a sentence: “They toured the old castle ruins just outside Stafford.”
What part of speech is “Stafford”?
Depending on how it is used, “Stafford” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Stafford” come from?
The word “Stafford” comes from Old English. From Old English stæð ("landing place") plus ford, describing a river crossing near a landing spot.
Is “Stafford” a common word?
“Stafford” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Stafford” have?
“Stafford” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the county town of Staffordshire in England, and the surname and given name derived from it.
Is Stafford a place name, a surname, or both?
Stafford is both: it is the county town of Staffordshire in England, and it is also used as a surname and given name derived from that place. Which meaning applies depends entirely on context.
What does Stafford mean as an informal dog breed name?
Stafford is a short, informal name for a Staffordshire bull terrier, a breed named after the same English county town. This usage is common among dog owners and breeders rather than in formal writing.
Why do English place names like Stafford also become surnames?
Many English surnames originated from place names because people were historically identified by where they came from or held land, and Stafford follows this common pattern as both a town name and a family name. This is a widespread naming convention across English surnames tied to towns and counties.
