Horsfall

Horsfall is an English surname originating from a minor place in Yorkshire. The name derives from the Old English hors “horse” and fall “clearing”, thus denoting a clearing associated with horses. It is a toponymic surname, referring to someone who lived near such a location.

Notable Bearers

• Albert Horsfall (born 1941), Nigerian security chief and prominent nationalist.
• Alfred Horsfall (1871–1944), Australian military surgeon.
• Allan Horsfall (1927–2012), British gay rights campaigner.
• Basil Horsfall (1887–1918), British-Ceylonese recipient of the Victoria Cross.
• Bernard Horsfall (1930–2013), British actor known for roles in Game of Thrones and Star Wars.
• Charles Horsfall (1776–1846), British politician and Lord Mayor of Liverpool.
• Dick Horsfall (1920–1981), English cricketer.
• Douglas Horsfall (1856–1936), British stockbroker and church benefactor.
• Ewart Horsfall (1892–1974), British Olympic rower and WWI veteran.
• Frank Horsfall (1906–1971), American physician and cancer researcher.
• George Horsfall (1924–1992), Australian-born footballer.

The surname appears across various Anglophone regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Nigeria.

Key Facts

• Origin: English
• Type: Toponymic surname
• Etymology: Old English hors “horse” + fall “clearing”
• Regions of use: English-speaking countries, notably UK and Nigeria