Redford

Redford is a name with English origins that functions as both a surname and a place name. The surname is generally understood to derive from a toponym formed by the elements meaning red and ford, indicating a river crossing near red-colored banks. The name has been carried by several notable individuals in arts, film, and public life.

Notable people with the surname include Robert Redford (1926–2022), an American actor, director, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Institute, whose work helped shape independent cinema in the United States. His son, James Redford (1962–2020), was a documentary filmmaker and activist involved in environmental and public-interest projects.

Places and institutions named Redford include Redford Township in Wayne County, Michigan, a charter township in the Detroit metropolitan area. The name is often associated with the surrounding communities and residential areas within that region. In addition to its use as a place name, Redford is linked to institutions connected to Robert Redford, including organizations involved in film, media, and environmental storytelling.

The term Redford has limited other widespread uses beyond surname and place-name associations. It is primarily recognized in connection with individuals bearing the surname and with the Michigan township, which is part of the broader Detroit area.