Barnfeild History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Barnfeild

What does the name Barnfeild mean?

Today Barnfield is a ward and area in Luton, England and home to Barnfield College.

Early Origins of the Barnfeild family

The surname Barnfeild was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Barnfeild family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barnfeild research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1241, 1396, 1455, 1472, 1487, 1510, 1574, 1600, 1605 and 1627 are included under the topic Early Barnfeild History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnfeild Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Barnfeild are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Barnfeild include: Barnfield, Barnefield, Bornfield, Bernfield and many more.

Early Notables of the Barnfeild family

Richard Barnfield (1574-1627), from Norbury, Staffordshire, an English poet, a rival to William Shakespeare who many believe is mentioned in Shakespeare's sonnets. "The writings of Barnfield have always been excessively rare. Of his three books, and of the second edition of the third, published in 1605, only five original copies in all are known to exist. All his best early pieces, and especially his sonnets, are dedicated to a sentiment of friendship so exaggerated as to remove them beyond wholesome sympathy. Even...
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barnfeild Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barnfeild migration to Canada +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Barnfeild or a variant listed above:

Barnfeild Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Deborah Barnfeild, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Hanah Barnfeild, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
William Barnfeild, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750