Beauford

Beauford is a personal name that has appeared primarily as a masculine given name in English-speaking countries. It is far less common as a surname, and when it occurs, it is usually of historical or familial origin rather than a widely recognized family name.

Though not definitively documented, the form Beauford may be derived from place-name elements such as beau and ford, or from English toponymy influenced by Norman naming patterns. The combination suggests a “beautiful ford” or a geographical crossing, a common structure in English and French-derived names.

Beauford Delaney (1901–1979) is the most notable bearer of the name. An American painter, he contributed to the New York and Paris art scenes and is remembered for his color-rich portraits and landscapes and his lifelong engagement with spirituality and exile. His work influenced contemporaries and later artists, and his life has been the subject of literary and art historical study.

Today Beauford remains a relatively rare given name. It may appear in various cultural contexts and in fictional works, but does not designate a single widely known entity beyond its association with Beauford Delaney.