At a guess ; a battle was fought at a Ford river crossing, possibly for either water rights or land boundary rights.
Hence 'Battleford'.
Battle of Jacob's Ford happened in 1179.
Battle of Alclud Ford happened in 574.
Battle of Yan Ford happened in -200.
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford happened in 214.
Battle of Cowan's Ford happened in 1781.
Battle of Red Ford happened in 1264.
Battle of the Yellow Ford happened on 1598-08-14.
Battle of Alcovy Ford happened on 1864-11-17.
Battle of Blackburn's Ford happened on 1861-07-18.
Battle of Dushi Ford happened on 200-02-03.
Battle of Morton's Ford happened on 1864-02-06.
Battle of Fishdam Ford happened on 1780-11-09.