| ![Show Contents]() Lafield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Lafield derives its origin from the English "dweller by the lea-field", the pasture, grass-land, as at Leyfield (Nottinghamshire)." 1 Early Origins of the Lafield familyThe surname Lafield was first found in Nottinghamshire at Leyfield. 1 However, we must look to Yorkshire to find the first listing of the family in early rolls - Hugo Layfield was listed as a Freeman of York in 1442. Later in London, we found William Leyfeld listed in 1484. Stilton cheese has long been made in Leyfield Forest. Leafield is a village and civil parish about 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Witney in West Oxfordshire. Early History of the Lafield familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lafield research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1442, 1455, 1484, 1487, 1585, 1592, 1603, 1617 and 1639 are included under the topic Early Lafield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lafield Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Lafield are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. 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. The variations of the name Lafield include: Layfield, Leyfield, Leighfield, Leefield, Leafield, Layfield, Lafield and many more. Early Notables of the Lafield familyDistinguished members of the family include John Layfield (also spelled Laifield) (d. 1617), British theologian, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood before proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge, where...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lafield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Lafield familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Lafield or a variant listed above: Ann Layfield, who settled in Virginia in 1635. She may have been accompanied by her husband.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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