Norfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the Norfield name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in the north, or were people who lived to the north of a main settlement. Norfield is a local surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. There are a variety of types of local surnames, some of which include: topographic surnames, which could be given to a person who lived beside any physical feature, such as a hill, stream, church or type of tree.

Early Origins of the Norfield family

The surname Norfield was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Norfield family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Norfield research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1535, 1581, 1601, 1602, 1609, 1637, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1652, 1656, 1666, 1671, 1677, 1678, 1685, 1691, 1695, 1709, 1734, 1743 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Norfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Norfield 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 Norfield were recorded, including North, Northe, Northey and others.

Early Notables of the Norfield family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas North (1535-1601), English translator, whose works were used as sources by Shakespeare; Sir Henry North, 1st Baronet (ca.1609-1671), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1656 and 1671; Sir Edward Northey (1652-1743), a senior British barrister and politician; Dudley North, 3rd Baron North (1581-1666), an English nobleman, Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire (1640-1642); Dudley North, 4th Baron North K.B. (1602-1677), an English politician; Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Norfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Norfield family to Ireland

Some of the Norfield family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Norfield family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Norfield family emigrate to North America: Thomas North, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Joe North, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; John North, who settled in New England in 1635; Anne and Frank North who settled in Virginia in 1654.

The Norfield Motto +

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: Animo et fide
Motto Translation: By courage and faith.