Burfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Burfield date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The surname is generally thought to have come from a place name, such as from Burford in Oxfordshire, or Burford in Shropshire. 1

These place names are derived from the Old English words "burh," meaning "stronghold," or a "fortified manor," and "ford," a location where a river can be crossed. Some variations of this surname, no doubt come from the Old French word "buffet," meaning "table" or "cupboard." 2

Early Origins of the Burfield family

The surname Burfield was first found in Shropshire where two of the first listings of the family were listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Hugo de Bureford: and Roger de Bureford. 3 William le Burford and Walter le Boreforde were both listed in Kirby's Quest as holding lands in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 4

Early History of the Burfield family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burfield research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1329 and 1620 are included under the topic Early Burfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burfield Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Burfield were recorded, including Burford, Bareford, Berford, Barford, Buford, Burfort and many more.

Early Notables of the Burfield family

More information is included under the topic Early Burfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Burfield family to Ireland

Some of the Burfield family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burfield migration to Australia +

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

Burfield Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Harriet Burfield, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 5
Robert Burfield, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 5
Sarah Burfield, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 5
Samuel Burfield, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 5
Elizabeth Burfield, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Somersetshire" in 1839 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Burfield (post 1700) +

Brigadier Harold Burfield Taylor (1890-1966), Australian Commanding Officer 22nd Australian Infantry Brigade, Malaya from 1940 to 1942 6

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SOMERSETSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Somersetshire.htm
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, September 8) Harold Taylor. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Taylor/Harold_Burfield/Australia.html