Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Walleford 1214 Abbr

• Waleford 13 YDvii,449

• Walesford 1220–4 YDvii,433 1221 Cur 1226 YChx 1227 Ch 1232 FF 1279–81 QW

• Walseford 1236–47 YChx

• Wallesford 1279–81 QW 1335,1352 YDix,86–8 1370 YDvi

• Wallysforth 1470 YDix,93 1535 VE

• Walsforth 1402 YDvi

• Walsford 1416 YDix,91

• Wal(s)sheford, Wal(s)shefurth 1369 YDix,88 1540 PrHosp 1544,1546 FF

• Walchford 1444 YDvi

• Walshforth 1597 SessnR 1641 Rates

• Walshford 1601,1621 FF

• Washford(e) 1577 Holinshed 1601,1621 FF

Etymology

'Ford of the Welshman or serf or of Walh ', v. walh , ford . The Great North Road crosses the R. Nidd here; the ford has long been replaced by a bridge (Walshford Bridge infra ). The forms with -sh - are comparatively late and are paralleled by those of R. Washburn (RNs.).