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![Show Contents]() Enfeld History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Enfeld is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Enfeld family lived in the county of Berkshire, England. Early Origins of the Enfeld familyThe surname Enfeld was first found in Berkshire where they were Lords of the Manor of Englefield. "This parish, which comprises 1379a. 3r. 16p., derives its name from the Saxon word Ingle, a fire or beacon light; and probably had its origin about the middle of the ninth century, when the Danes, having made themselves masters of Reading, sent out a detachment from their army to attack the Saxons, who were encamped here, and who drove them back with great loss." 1 Gilbert and Stephen, held their land here from the Norman Chief tenant, Williams FitzAnsculf c. 1086. Enfield in a parish in the union and hundred of Edmonton, Middlesex. "This place is in Domesday Book called Enefelde, denoting its situation among fields, or in the felled part of a forest." 1 Early History of the Enfeld familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Enfeld research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Enfeld History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Enfeld 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 Enfeld include Enfield, Emenfield, Enestfield, Enfeld, Endfield, Enefele, Inglefield and many more. Early Notables of the Enfeld familyMore information is included under the topic Early Enfeld Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Enfeld familyIn 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 Enfelds to arrive on North American shores: George Enfield who arrived in New Jersey in 1772.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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