Show ContentsBayfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bayfield family

The surname Bayfield was first found in Norfolk, a Bayfield, a parish, in the union of Erpingham, hundred of Holt. 1

Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the under-tenant of the lands of Bayfield which were held by under-tenant Walter Giffard from the King (Duke William) and who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Walter (Gautier) Giffard was Count of Longueville, and his main seat was at Aveton Manor. He and his relations held many manors.

Early History of the Bayfield family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bayfield research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1390, 1461, 1531 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Bayfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bayfield Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Bayfield are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bayfield include Bayfield, Baifield, Bafield, Bayfeld and others.

Early Notables of the Bayfield family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Richard Bayfield (died 1531) an English Protestant martyr. After exile to the Low Countries, he then returned to England and was active in circulating the New Testament and other prohibited books, inc...
  • Robert Bayfield (fl. 1668), was an English physician. He was the author of Enchiridion Medicum, containing the causes, signs, and cures of all those diseases that do chiefly affect the body of man


United States Bayfield migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Bayfield, or a variant listed above:

Bayfield Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • E. Bayfield, aged 42, who arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Trinidad" from Hamilton, Bermuda 2
  • Mrs. E. Bayfield, aged 40, who arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Trinidad" from Hamilton, Bermuda 2
Bayfield Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Henry Bayfield, aged 48, who arrived in New York City in 1904 aboard the ship "Campania" from Liverpool, England 2
  • S. Bayfield, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Minnetonka" from London, England 2
  • Wallace Bayfield, aged 4, who arrived in New York in 1908 aboard the ship "Campania" from Liverpool, England 2
  • St Clair Roberts R. Bayfield, aged 32, who arrived in New York in 1908 aboard the ship "Saint Paul" from Southampton, England 2
  • Lockington A. Bayfield, aged 68, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Liverpool, England 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Bayfield migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bayfield Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Edward Bayfield a wheelwright, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Emma" in 1836 3
  • Ellen Bayfield, who arrived in Kangaroo Island aboard the ship "Emma" in 1836 3
  • Edward Bayfield, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Emily" in 1849 4

New Zealand Bayfield migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bayfield Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Arthur D. Bayfield, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850, he died in 1861 5
  • Mrs. Matilda Bayfield, (b. 1807), aged 43, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850, she died in 1901 5
  • Child Bayfield, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Bayfield (post 1700) +

  • Matthew Albert "M.A." Bayfield (b. 1852), English classical scholar, author, headmaster, clergyman and spiritualist
  • Martin Christopher Bayfield (b. 1966), former English rugby union footballer
  • Anthony Michael "Tony" Bayfield CBE (b. 1946), British Reform rabbi and former President of the Movement for Reform Judaism
  • St. Clair Bayfield (1875-1967), British stage actor
  • Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield (1795-1885), British naval officer and surveyor who surveyed Lake Superior, Lake Erie and Lake Huron and the St Lawrence River


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Emma. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1836Emma.gif
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The EMILY 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Emily.htm
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook