Strattfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Strattfield reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Strattfield family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Strattfield family lived in Kent. Their name, however, is a reference to Estreville, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Early Origins of the Strattfield family

The surname Strattfield was first found in Kent. They were originally from Estreville in Normandy, and became known as De Stratavilla. They were Lords of the manor of Chiddingstone in that shire. One source claims "Among some papers preserved in the family, it is noted that an ancestor, travelling about a century since in Saxony, met with a family named Streightveldt, who bore the arms and crest of the Kentish Streatfeilds." 1 A couple of comments on this reference: as the book was written in 1860, one would presume that the author is referring to 1760; and secondly the reader should be aware that most "field" names were originally spelt "feild."

Early History of the Strattfield family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Strattfield research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Strattfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Strattfield Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Streatfield, Streatfeild, Streetfield, Stratfield and others.

Early Notables of the Strattfield family

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

Migration of the Strattfield family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Strattfield name or one of its variants: H. Stratfield settled in Barbados in 1680.

The Strattfield 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: Data Fata Secutus
Motto Translation: Following my destiny.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.