What was the ancient name for the English town of Guildford?

edmund80

Gyldeforda, meaning "golden ford". "The name Guildford comes from the Saxon Gyldeforda meaning golden ford. This probably refers to the golden sand in the river bed, contrasting with the track across the white chalk, but could also refer to flowers such as flags which flourish in shallow fords." http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Leisure/GuildfordMuseum/GuildfordSites/HistoryNotes/Saxon+Guildford.htm http://www.knightstemplarquest.com/THE_JOUNEY_BEGINS.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildford Nov 28 08, 1:44 PM

Lord_Digby

It's possible it could have been "Sand Ford" but more of a suggestion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildford There is an old coaching Inn on the Epsom Road previously called the 'Sanford Arms', which almost certainly derives from 'Sand Ford', so this adds weight to the suggestion that 'Guildford' is a corruption of 'Gold Ford,' referring to the very distinctive golden sand showing on the banks of the River Wey where it cuts through the sandy outcrop just south of the town. [Text added from provided link -- Zb] Nov 28 08, 1:45 PM