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Sign up freeDanforth Family Genealogy & History
Discover the Global Legacy of the Danforth Surname
The Danforth surname traces its origins to England, where it likely emerged from a geographical location or a notable feature within a specific region. As is the case with many English surnames, the name Danforth may have been used to identify families by their location or land, establishing a unique identity that has been carried through generations. This historical context provides a meaningful backdrop for understanding the Danforth family tree and its evolution over time.
The Danforth name gained prominence in England before the family began to migrate. By the 17th century, individuals bearing the Danforth surname were among those who crossed the Atlantic Ocean to settle in North America. This migration marked a significant expansion of the Danforth genealogy, with family members establishing themselves in the United States and later spreading into Canada. This movement reflects broader historical migration patterns and the search for new opportunities in the New World.
YourRoots data offers valuable insights into the Danforth genealogy, confirming the family's longstanding presence in England before their migration to North America. The dataset highlights how the Danforth family tree branched out significantly during the 18th and 19th centuries, as descendants spread across various regions. These records provide a deeper understanding of how the Danforth surname has persisted and evolved over time, enriching the narrative of this family's history.
For those interested in exploring their Danforth heritage, YourRoots presents a comprehensive collection of Danforth records that illuminate this surname's journey through the centuries. By accessing these resources, genealogy enthusiasts can uncover the rich history of the Danforth family tree, connecting the past with the present and ensuring the legacy of the Danforth name continues to thrive.
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Records
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NDNicholas Danforth1589–1638Public Tree Person8 treesScore: ANDNicholas Danforth1589–1638Public Tree Person8 treesScore: A
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TDThomas Danforth1623–1699Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth5 treesScore: ATDThomas Danforth1623–1699Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth5 treesScore: A
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HDHannah Danforth1698–1788Public Tree PersonParents: Hannah Allen4 treesScore: BHDHannah Danforth1698–1788Public Tree PersonParents: Hannah Allen4 treesScore: B
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MDMary Danforth1698–1792Public Tree Person4 treesScore: BMDMary Danforth1698–1792Public Tree Person4 treesScore: B
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JDJohane Danforth1563–1578Public Tree Person4 treesScore: BJDJohane Danforth1563–1578Public Tree Person4 treesScore: B
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BDBethia Danforth1667–1668Public Tree Person3 treesScore: BBDBethia Danforth1667–1668Public Tree Person3 treesScore: B
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BDBenjamin Danforth1663–1663Public Tree PersonParents: Mary Withington3 treesScore: BBDBenjamin Danforth1663–1663Public Tree PersonParents: Mary Withington3 treesScore: B
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JDJoseph Danforth1661–1663Public Tree Person3 treesScore: BJDJoseph Danforth1661–1663Public Tree Person3 treesScore: B
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MDMary Danforth1656–1732Public Tree Person4 treesScore: BMDMary Danforth1656–1732Public Tree Person4 treesScore: B
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SDSarah Danforth1676–1751Public Tree PersonParents: Elizabeth Poulter4 treesScore: BSDSarah Danforth1676–1751Public Tree PersonParents: Elizabeth Poulter4 treesScore: B
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EDElizabeth Danforth1619–1680Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth3 treesScore: BEDElizabeth Danforth1619–1680Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth3 treesScore: B
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SDSamuel DANFORTH1666–1727Public Tree Person3 treesScore: BSDSamuel DANFORTH1666–1727Public Tree Person3 treesScore: B
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LDLydia Danforth1625–1686Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth13 treesScore: BLDLydia Danforth1625–1686Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth13 treesScore: B
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JDJonathan Danforth1628–1712Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth8 treesScore: BJDJonathan Danforth1628–1712Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth8 treesScore: B
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ADAnna Danforth1622–1704Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth7 treesScore: BADAnna Danforth1622–1704Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth7 treesScore: B
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MDMary DANFORTH1621–1674Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth7 treesScore: BMDMary DANFORTH1621–1674Public Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth7 treesScore: B
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MDMary Danforth1698–1792Public Tree PersonParents: Hannah Allen6 treesScore: BMDMary Danforth1698–1792Public Tree PersonParents: Hannah Allen6 treesScore: B
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SDSamuel DANFORTH1697–1755Public Tree Person6 treesScore: BSDSamuel DANFORTH1697–1755Public Tree Person6 treesScore: B
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NDNicholas T Danforth1589–1638Public Tree Person5 treesScore: CNDNicholas T Danforth1589–1638Public Tree Person5 treesScore: C
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ADAnna Danforth1668–1737Public Tree Person3 treesScore: CADAnna Danforth1668–1737Public Tree Person3 treesScore: C
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ADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: Benjamin, Elizabeth, Hannah, James, Oliver, Charles, AbigailScore: AADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: Benjamin, Elizabeth, Hannah, James, Oliver, Charles, AbigailScore: A
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ADAlice Danforth1534–1603Individual Tree PersonParents: Edward Jorden & Martha LedbetterSpouse: Nicholas DanforthChildren: Anne, Johane, Margaret, Elizabeth, ThomasScore: AADAlice Danforth1534–1603Individual Tree PersonParents: Edward Jorden & Martha LedbetterSpouse: Nicholas DanforthChildren: Anne, Johane, Margaret, Elizabeth, ThomasScore: A
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ADAlice Danforth1540–1603Individual Tree PersonParents: Edward Jorden & Martha LedbetterSpouse: Nicholas DanforthChildren: Thomas, Johane, Nicholas, Samuel, Samuel, Jane, Anne, Rychard, Elizabeth, Johane\, Olive, Johane\, Olive, Anne, Elizabeth, MargaretScore: AADAlice Danforth1540–1603Individual Tree PersonParents: Edward Jorden & Martha LedbetterSpouse: Nicholas DanforthChildren: Thomas, Johane, Nicholas, Samuel, Samuel, Jane, Anne, Rychard, Elizabeth, Johane\, Olive, Johane\, Olive, Anne, Elizabeth, MargaretScore: A
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ADAlonzo H Danforth1842–1909Individual Tree PersonParents: Ebenezer Danforth & Samatha MeaderSpouse: Ida Lamb, Mina SoperScore: AADAlonzo H Danforth1842–1909Individual Tree PersonParents: Ebenezer Danforth & Samatha MeaderSpouse: Ida Lamb, Mina SoperScore: A
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ADAlice Danforth1534–1603Individual Tree PersonParents: Edward Danforth & Martha LedbetterSpouse: Nicholas Danforth, Thomas SudburyChildren: Thomas, JaneScore: AADAlice Danforth1534–1603Individual Tree PersonParents: Edward Danforth & Martha LedbetterSpouse: Nicholas Danforth, Thomas SudburyChildren: Thomas, JaneScore: A
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ADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: AbigailScore: BADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: AbigailScore: B
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ADAnna Danforth1766–1845Individual Tree PersonParents: Stephen Danforth & Lucey LeachScore: BADAnna Danforth1766–1845Individual Tree PersonParents: Stephen Danforth & Lucey LeachScore: B
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ADAda Lydia Danforth1920–2001Individual Tree PersonParents: Joseph Danforth & Lillian VaughnScore: BADAda Lydia Danforth1920–2001Individual Tree PersonParents: Joseph Danforth & Lillian VaughnScore: B
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ADAgnes Danforth1531–1538Individual Tree PersonParents: Paul Danforth & Katherine NoneScore: BADAgnes Danforth1531–1538Individual Tree PersonParents: Paul Danforth & Katherine NoneScore: B
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ADAgnes Danforth1531–1538Individual Tree PersonParents: PAUL DANFORTH & KATHERINE NoneScore: BADAgnes Danforth1531–1538Individual Tree PersonParents: PAUL DANFORTH & KATHERINE NoneScore: B
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ADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: Almira, John, Lucinda, Elizabeth, Abigail, Benjamin, Lewis, Gideon, James, Oliver, Hannah, Charles, Mary, LucendayScore: BADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: Almira, John, Lucinda, Elizabeth, Abigail, Benjamin, Lewis, Gideon, James, Oliver, Hannah, Charles, Mary, LucendayScore: B
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ADAnna Danforth1622–1704Individual Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth & Elizabeth BarberSpouse: Matthew BridgeChildren: HannahScore: BADAnna Danforth1622–1704Individual Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth & Elizabeth BarberSpouse: Matthew BridgeChildren: HannahScore: B
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ADAbijah John Richmond Danforth1803–1887Individual Tree PersonParents: Richmond DanforthSpouse: Abigail HarwoodChildren: OliverScore: BADAbijah John Richmond Danforth1803–1887Individual Tree PersonParents: Richmond DanforthSpouse: Abigail HarwoodChildren: OliverScore: B
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ADAnn Danforth1622–1704Individual Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth & Elizabeth SymmesScore: BADAnn Danforth1622–1704Individual Tree PersonParents: Nicholas Danforth & Elizabeth SymmesScore: B
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ADAlfred M Danforth1853–1939Individual Tree PersonParents: Matilda (Danforth) & Edward DanforthChildren: JosephineScore: CADAlfred M Danforth1853–1939Individual Tree PersonParents: Matilda (Danforth) & Edward DanforthChildren: JosephineScore: C
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ADAlse (Alice) (Bingham) Danforth1683–1780Individual Tree PersonParents: James Bingham* & Ann BinghamChildren: CharityScore: CADAlse (Alice) (Bingham) Danforth1683–1780Individual Tree PersonParents: James Bingham* & Ann BinghamChildren: CharityScore: C
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ADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: Almira, Benjamin, Unknown, Abigail, Charles, Elizabeth, Lucinda, Mary, Lewis, Gideon, James, Oliver, Hannah, Lucenday, JohnScore: CADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattSpouse: Benjamin HortonChildren: Almira, Benjamin, Unknown, Abigail, Charles, Elizabeth, Lucinda, Mary, Lewis, Gideon, James, Oliver, Hannah, Lucenday, JohnScore: C
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ADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattChildren: AbigailScore: CADAbigail Danforth1775–1871Individual Tree PersonParents: Oliver Danforth & Hannah PrattChildren: AbigailScore: C
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ADAmelia Danforth1801–1874Individual Tree PersonParents: Joshua Danforth & Salome NobleScore: CADAmelia Danforth1801–1874Individual Tree PersonParents: Joshua Danforth & Salome NobleScore: C
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Tracing Your Danforth Family Lineage
Origin of the Danforth Family: Where does the Danforth surname come from?
The earliest known appearance of the Danforth surname is traced back to England, marking the beginning of what would become a rich genealogical tapestry. This connection to England establishes the roots of the Danforth family tree, suggesting that the name itself likely derived from a geographical location or notable feature in the area. Such origins often reflect the deep historical ties families maintained with their homeland, laying the foundation for future generations.
Genealogy and Early Family History of Danforth
During the early centuries, the Danforth family began to spread primarily throughout England, establishing themselves in various regions as they grew in number and prominence. The YourRoots database reveals that families bearing the Danforth name were particularly concentrated in specific areas, which contributed to the formation of distinct family branches. As these branches diversified, they created a dynamic network of kinship, with members often marrying into neighboring families and expanding their connections further.
Tracing the Danforth Family Tree Through the Centuries
As time progressed, the Danforth surname began to expand beyond the borders of England, particularly during the centuries leading up to the modern era. In the 17th century, migration patterns saw many Danforth families relocating to the United States, where they established new roots and continued to grow their family trees. This trend of migration persisted into the 18th and 19th centuries, as the Danforth name spread across regions in North America and other parts of the world, reflecting the broader movements of families seeking new opportunities.
Where to Find Danforth Genealogy Records Today
In the modern centuries, the Danforth surname has continued to flourish, with significant populations found in various regions around the globe, particularly in North America. The 20th and 21st centuries have seen ongoing developments in family history research, making it easier for descendants to trace their lineage and connect with their ancestry. For those interested in exploring their Danforth heritage, delving into the records available in the YourRoots database offers a valuable opportunity to uncover the rich history of their family tree.
Famous People with Danforth (and Their Family Tree)
John Danforth
John Claggett Danforth, born on September 5, 1936, is a prominent American politician, attorney, diplomat, and Episcopal priest. He served as the Attorney General of Missouri from 1969 to 1976 and as a U.S. Senator from 1976 to 1995. A Republican Party member, Danforth was later appointed as Special Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice and served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2004 to 2005. He was a potential vice-presidential pick for both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush in 1988 and 2000, respectively, highlighting his influence in American politics.
Danforth was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Dorothy (Claggett) and Donald Danforth. He is the grandson of William H. Danforth, the founder of Ralston Purina. His brother, William Henry Danforth, served as the chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, indicating a family deeply rooted in leadership and public service. His educational background includes prestigious institutions like Princeton University and Yale University.
Thomas Danforth
Thomas Danforth (1623–1699) was a prominent politician, magistrate, and landowner in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Known for his conservative Puritan beliefs, he played significant roles in the colony's governance, including serving as a councilor and magistrate. Danforth was instrumental in opposing English royal control and is noted for his critical stance on the Salem witch trials. He held land in what is now Framingham, Massachusetts, and oversaw territories in present-day Maine. His political influence extended to being a deputy governor and a Harvard College steward, showcasing his diverse contributions to colonial society.
Thomas Danforth was born in Framlingham, Suffolk, England, to parents Nicholas Danforth and Elizabeth Symmes. The family immigrated to New England in 1634 to escape religious persecution, with Nicholas becoming a leading citizen in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before his death in 1638.
William H. Danforth
William H. Danforth was a pioneering American businessman, best known for founding Ralston Purina in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1894. He was a significant influence in the self-help movement, authoring the renowned book "I Dare You!" which has been recognized as one of the top self-help books of all time by the Christian Science Monitor. His innovative checkerboard logo for Ralston Purina symbolized his belief in balancing physical, mental, social, and religious aspects of life. Danforth also co-founded the American Youth Foundation and supported education through the Danforth Foundation, funding the construction of Danforth Chapels on college campuses across the U.S. and Japan.
Danforth's son, Donald Danforth, served as a chief executive of Ralston Purina, while his grandsons include notable figures such as former U.S. Senator John Danforth and former Washington University chancellor William "Bill" H. Danforth.
Justin Danforth
Justin Danforth, born on March 15, 1993, is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. He gained recognition as the ECHL Rookie of the Year in 2018 with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Danforth's career highlights include playing for Sacred Heart University, where he earned accolades such as AHA Rookie of the Year and was named to several All-Star and All-Conference teams. Internationally, he represented Canada, winning gold at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. His professional journey spans leagues in North America, Finland, and Russia, showcasing his versatility and scoring prowess.
William Henry Danforth
William Henry Danforth II, a prominent American physician and academic leader, served as the chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis from 1971 to 1995. Under his leadership, the university achieved national prominence, with significant growth in endowment, faculty, and student body diversity. Danforth's tenure was marked by successful fundraising campaigns, the establishment of new faculty chairs, and increased scholarship opportunities. His efforts in higher education were recognized by various awards, including the Alexander Meiklejohn Award and the renaming of the university's main campus to Danforth Campus in 2006.
William H. Danforth was born into a distinguished family with strong ties to St. Louis. His grandfather, William H. Danforth, founded Ralston-Purina, and his brother, John Danforth, served as a U.S. Senator. His father, after whom the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is named, also played a significant role in the family's philanthropic endeavors, contributing extensively to Washington University and the plant science center.
Danforth Surname Meaning, Origin, and History
The surname "Danforth" is associated with various notable individuals across different fields, including engineering, politics, sports, and academia, dating back to the Puritan era. Some prominent figures include Thomas Danforth, a judge in the Salem witch trials, and John Danforth, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The name also appears in fictional contexts, such as in the movie "High School Musical" and H.P. Lovecraft's literature.
VIEW MOREWhere to Find Genealogy Records for Danforth
We’ve analyzed YourRoots tree and records data to uncover where genealogists are finding key sources such as census, birth certificates, marriage records, and obituaries for the Danforth family. Explore our most popular genealogy record sources for the Danforth surname to learn more.
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