Handfield History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsHandfield is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Handfield family lived in Essex. Their name, however, is a local reference which indicates that the original bearer lived at or near a field belonging to someone by the name of Hand, hence Handfield. It is one of a number of names such as Handforth, Handford, Hanfirth, Hanfield, Handsacre, Handsworth, all of which derive from this source. The surname Hand comes from the Old English honde, and was a nickname used to identify a person by a peculiarity of the hands, such as size, great skill, or agility. Early Origins of the Handfield familyThe surname Handfield was first found in Essex where they were conjecturally descended from Ralph FitzThorold, who held the lands and villages of east, south, and west Hanningfield. Early History of the Handfield familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Handfield research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Handfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Handfield Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Handfield include Handfield, Hanfield, Haningfield, Hangefield, Havingfield and many more. Early Notables of the Handfield familyMore information is included under the topic Early Handfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Handfields to arrive on North American shores: Handfield Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Handfield Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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