URPoint Details
Rufford's name derives from the Old English rūh and ford, the rough ford. It was a crossing place over the River Douglas. Rufford was recorded as Ruchford in 1212, Rufford in 1285, Roughford in 1318, Rughford in 1332 and Roghforth in 1411.
Part of the manor was granted by Richard Bussel, baron of Penwortham to Richard Fitton in the reign of Henry I. His descendant Dame Maude married Sir William Hesketh. Sir William's grandson married the daughter of Edmund Fitton, which then descended with the Heskeths.
The Church of St Mary is a small Victorian building in the Gothic style in 1869 to replace an earlier church. There are many memorials to the Heskeths one from 1458 shows 11 children.
Location: 7m N of Ormskirk
- Type:
- Landmark