This name is of locational origin from a now lost place called Wakeford near Wakeham in Sussex. The name derived from the Olde English pre 7th century nickname, Waca, meaning 'watchful' plus 'forde' a ford. The surname is well recorded in various Sussex Church registers from the mid 16th century on, first appearing as Wakeforde in 1551. On April 27th 1569, one Jone Wakeford married a John Steere in Farnhurst. The surname also appears, though to a lesser extent, in Warwickshire. One Brice Wakeford married a Mary Grier on February 5th 1754 in St. Martin, Birmingham. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Joane Wakeforde christened in Sussex. which was dated December 12th 1561, Farnhurst Baptismal Records during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 Good Queen Bess 1558-1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.