| ![Show Contents]() Springfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Springfield come from its first bearer, who was a young or very active individual, which was originally derived from the Old English word spring literally meaning the season spring. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. This nickname surname was used to describe the original bearers character as it related to the young shoots in the ground when they would rise from the earth in the spring. Early Origins of the Springfield familyThe surname Springfield was first found in Suffolk where they were major landowners in East Anglia seated from very ancient times, as Lords of the manor of Lavenham, the family were important merchants in the cloth and wool trade during the Middle Ages. The Spring or DeFonte family claim descendancy through Norman, Peter, William, Hugh de Fonte in Normandy who were listed there in a census (1180-1195.) The earliest record of the name in England was found c. 1198 when Reginald and Emma de Fonte were listed there at that time. 1 Houghton Le Side in Durham was an ancient family seat. "The vill was a portion of the inheritance of the early lords of Raby, and was granted by Robert Fitz-Mildred to the Springs, of whom Sir John Spring was, in 1312, murdered in his manorhouse here by Robert Lascelles, of Yorkshire." 2 and nearby in Houghton Le Spring more early evidence of the family was found. "This place, which takes its name from a family to whom it belonged soon after the Conquest, is one of the great manors of the see of Durham." 2 Early History of the Springfield familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Springfield research. Another 174 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1311, 1313, 1369, 1390, 1474, 1523, 1547, 1578, 1579, 1597, 1599, 1613, 1637, 1642, 1646, 1648, 1654, 1672, 1674, 1679, 1684, 1697, 1704, 1737, 1740 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Springfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Springfield Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Springfield has been spelled many different ways, including Spring, Springe, Springs, Springes, Springer and others. Early Notables of the Springfield familyDistinguished members of the family include Thomas Spring (c.1474-1523), also referred to as Thomas Spring III, and Thomas Spring of Lavenham, an English clothier in Suffolk and one of the richest men in England at the time; Sir John Spring (d. 1547), of Lavenham, Buxhall, Hitcham, and Cockfield, Suffolk, was an English merchant and politician; Sir William Spring of Lavenham (died 1599), an English politician and merchant, High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1578-1579; Sir William Spring of...
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Springfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Springfield RankingIn the United States, the name Springfield is the 10,414th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3  Migration of the Springfield family to Ireland
Some of the Springfield family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Springfield migration to the United States | + |
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Springfields to arrive in North America:
Springfield Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Andrew Springfield, aged 28, who arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Orinoco" from Bermuda 4
Springfield Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- E. Louise Springfield, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1915 aboard the ship "Evangeline" from Bermuda 4
- Samuel Springfield, originally from Aldershot, England, who arrived in New York in 1924 aboard the ship "George Washington" from Southampton, England 4
| Springfield migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Springfield Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century- Michael Springfield, who landed in Quebec in 1784
- Mr. Joseph Springfield U.E. who settled in Western District [The Townships of Essex County and Kent County], Ontario c. 1789 he served in Butlers Rangers 5
| Contemporary Notables of the name Springfield (post 1700) | + |
- Nelson E. Springfield, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for supervisor of Royal Oak Township, Michigan, 1905 6
- Tom Springfield (1934-2022), born Dionysius P. A. O'Brien, English musician, songwriter, record producer, brother of Dusty Springfield
- Dusty Springfield OBE (1939-1999), born Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien, English pop singer and record producer, probably best known for her hits "Wishin' and Hopin'" (1964) and "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" (1964)
- Rick Springfield (b. 1949), born Richard Lewis Springthorpe, Australian Grammy Award-winning singer, best known for hie his hit "Jessie's Girl" (1981)
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Non mihi sed patriae
Motto Translation: Not for myself, but for my country.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
- Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Springfield migration to the United States 
Springfield migration to Canada 
England
Ireland
