Hartford, one of the oldest cities in the United States, is also the matriarch of a family of sister cities and towns. With 20 other Hartfords spread across the U.S. (not to mention a number of “East” and “West” and “New” and even “South” Hartfords), and four more overseas, you may wonder… what’s in a name? Click on a state below to meet the Hartfords.
State Name
Four more overseas
In addition to the 20 Hartfords across the U.S, there are four Hartfords overseas.
Cheshire, England
During the English Civil War in 1644, a battle in Hartford, Cheshire, was fought at Hartford Green. Population: 5,515.
Cambridgeshire, England
Hartford, Cambridgeshire, has only 34 households but six church bells. Hertford is 38 miles away. Population: nears 450.
Liberia, Africa
The west African nation of Hartford, Liberia, has a monsoon climate. It has been home to many Liberian presidents and is known for its iron ore.
Jamaica
Hartford, Jamaica, is on the south side of the island. Sweet River runs through Hartford, making for fertile plains. Agricultural crops consist mostly of sugar cane, bananas, coffee, ginger and cocoa. Population: 145,000.
According to HartfordHistory.net, the Olde English origin of Hartford (Hertford) means “crossing of the deer.” The word Hart (Hert) refers to a red male deer and a ford is a river crossing. In 1614, Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River and established trading posts with the Algonquins. The Dutch name for the area was changed to Hartford when Pastor Thomas Hooker and Assistant Pastor Samuel Stone led a group of Puritans who settled the area in 1635, after buying land from the Indians; Hertford, England, was Stone’s hometown.
By the late 1880s, Hartford was one of the wealthiest cities in the world. With the arrival of Cigna after World War II, Hartford became the “Insurance Capital of the World.” Population: 125,000.