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Alford - The surname Alford is evidently of local origin to the Somerset and Cheshire areas, the ancient form of which was Aldeford, meaning "Old Ford", whence Aldford, with the modern form being Alford. The "Old Ford" was a ford across the river Dee about four miles south of Chester on a typically straight ancient Roman road which starts in Chester. These place names are found in Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Somerset, England, and in Scotland, and it is probable that from this "Old Ford" the various families of Alford or Aldford have taken their name. Another meaning offered was wise counselor. (source unknown) - First found in Berkshire, with branches in Holt in the Welsh county of Denbigh, Meux in Yorkshire, Sussex and Hertfordshire, as well as at Ipswich in the county of Suffolk. Some of the first (American) settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Richard Alford, who settled in Virginia in 1624, at the age of 26. He was followed by John, also to Virginia in 1663, and Nico Alford who settled in St. Christopher, Florida, in 1635. (source unknown)