Stretfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The history of the Stretfield family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They 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 Stretfield family

The surname Stretfield 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 Stretfield family

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

Stretfield Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Streatfield, Streatfeild, Streetfield, Stratfield and others.

Early Notables of the Stretfield family

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

Migration of the Stretfield family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Stretfield or a variant listed above were: H. Stratfield settled in Barbados in 1680.

The Stretfield 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.