Show ContentsYfeld History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Yfeld family

The surname Yfeld was first found in West Sussex at Ifield, a parish, in the union of Horsham, hundred of Burbeach which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Ifelt. 1 The place name literally means "open land where yew-trees grom," from the Old English words "ig" + "feld." 2 The village, which is comprehended in the hamlet of Shinglewell, is situated on the line of a Roman road, traces of which are yet visible. 3 Ifield or Singlewell is also the name given to the area south of Gravesend in Kent. Originally a parish, in the union of North Aylesford, hundred of Toltingtrough, lathe of Aylesford, little is left today except a few houses south of the main road, and the tiny church of St Margaret. The family name was first referenced in the year 1198 when Scorland de Yfeld held estates in Kent.

Early History of the Yfeld family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yfeld research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Yfeld History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yfeld Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Yfeld has undergone many spelling variations, including Ifield, Eyefield, Highfield, Ifold, Ifould, Hyfield, Hifield, Hyfold, Yfield, Yfeld and many more.

Early Notables of the Yfeld family

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

Migration of the Yfeld family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Yfeld were among those contributors: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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