Origin of the surname Whitfield

This long-established surname is of Olde English and Anglo-Saxon pre 7th century origins. It is locational from any or all of the places called Whitfield in the counties of Derbyshire, Kent, Northamptonshire and Northumberland, or from the villages called Whitefield in Lancashire, the Isle of Wight and Gloucestershire. The last mentioned place, recorded as "Wicfeld" in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, derives its first element from the ancient word "wican", meaning to bend or curve, and the reference is to a recess in a neighbouring hill.

The second element is "feld", which has the opposite meaning to the modern "field". It describes "open country", or "land free from wood". All the other Whitfield or Whitefield places share the same meaning and derivation, which is "the white plain", from the Olde English "hwit", meaning white or in this context, chalky. Amongst the many early recordings are those of William de Whitefeld, in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset for the year 1230, and Richard Whytefeld in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1396. In August 1635, John Whitfield, aged 20 yrs., embarked from the port of London aboard the ship "Globe", bound for Virginia. He was one of the earliest recorded namebearers to settle in the New England colonies of America. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Leonard de Witefelde. This was dated 1154, in the "Eynsham Cartulary", for Oxfordshire, during the reign of King Henry 11nd of England, 1154 - 1189. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Whitfield. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of whitfield is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname whitfield, and in addition to the original locations of whitfield, we can find out where people with the surname whitfield can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of whitfield.

The surname Whitfield around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname whitfield. The mobility of people carrying the surname whitfield has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Whitfield

The historical chronicle of whitfield is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname whitfield are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname whitfield.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname whitfield, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname whitfield or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of whitfield.

Notable Figures Named Whitfield

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished whitfields throughout human history. A surname like whitfield can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname whitfield, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Whitfield and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of whitfield. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname whitfield, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of whitfield.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of whitfield, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Whitfield