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![Show Contents]() Westerfeld History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Westerfeld surname is derived from the Old English words "west" meaning "west," and "feld," meaning "open country;" it was likely taken on as a habitational name from either of two places, Westfield, in Norfolk and Westfield, in Sussex; or it may have been a name for someone who lived to the west of an open field. 1 Early Origins of the Westerfeld familyThe surname Westerfeld was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1276 when John Westfield held estates in that shire. 2 Early History of the Westerfeld familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Westerfeld research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1376, 1455, 1487, 1573, 1600, 1640, 1642 and 1644 are included under the topic Early Westerfeld History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Westerfeld Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Westfield, Westerfill, Westerfeild, Westfield, Westfill, Westfill and many more. Early Notables of the Westerfeld familyDistinguished members of the family include Thomas Westfield (1573-1644), Bishop of Bristol, born in the parish of St. Mary's, Ely, in 1573. "After serving as curate at St. Mary-le-Bow under Nicholas Felton, he was presented to the rectory of South Somercotes in Lincolnshire in 1600. On the outbreak of...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Westerfeld Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Westerfeld familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jane Westerfield, who came to Virginia in 1628; Grace Westfield, who came to America in 1716; Richard Westfield, who came to America in 1745; Elizabeth Westfield, a bonded passenger, who came to America in 1775.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- 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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