The surname of ALVORD was a locational name 'of Alford' parishes in counties Lincoln and Somerset, England. The name meant 'the dweller by the old ford'. The name was brought into England in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066, and is also spelt Alford and Alward. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. Early records of the name mention Robert de Aldeford, 1184 County Lancashire. John de Aldeford was documented in County Hereford in the year 1273. Thomas Alforde of County Somerset, was documented during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) and William Allforde of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Thomas Ruston and Betty Alford were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in 1763. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Between the 11th and 15th centuries it became customary for surnames to be assumed in Europe, but they were not commonplace in England or Scotland before the Norman Conquest of 1066. They are to be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Those of gentler blood assumed surnames at this time, but it was not until the reign of Edward II (1327-1377) that it became common practice for all people. Prior to the Invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066, no one had surnames, only christian or nicknames in England. Based on this, and our physical attributes, we were given surnames incorporating tax codes to show trades, areas in which we lived, as today we have street names and numbers. Surnames were used in France and like speaking countries from about the year 1000, and a few places had second names even earlier. Even early monarchs had additions to show attributes and character, for example Ethelred (red-hair) the Unready (never prepared) and Edward I. was named 'Long shanks' because of his long legs.