Pettiford is the surname of the following people: Jack Pettiford (1919–1964), Australian cricketer Kenneth Pettiford (born 1950), American college football player and coach Keith Pettiford (1915–1942), Australian rugby football player Oscar Pettiford (1922–1960), American jazz double bassist, cellist and composer Valarie Pettiford (born 1960), American stage and television actress, dancer, and jazz singer William R. Pettiford (1847–1914), American banker English-language surnames