Show ContentsCanfile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Canfile family

The surname Canfile was first found in Northamptonshire where Gerald de Camvile, the grandson of the Norman adventurer held a family seat temp. Stephen at Lilburne Castle. He granted two parts of the tithes of Charletin Camvile in Somersetshire to the monks of Bermondsey in Surrey. His son, Richard de Camvile founded Combe Abbey in Warwickshire and was known as a person of great power during the reign of Henry II. 1

Gerrard de Camville (d. 1215?), was an early judge and was "son of Richard de Camville, who is mentioned among the leaders and constables of Richard I's fleet in 1190, was appointed joint governor of Cyprus with Robert de Turneham in 1191, and died at the siege of Acre in the same year." 2

Thomas de Camville (d. 1235), was also an early judge, third son of William, brother of Gerard de Camville, by Albreda, daughter of Geoffrey Marmion. He held the manors of Westerham in Kent and Senefield and Fobbing in Essex. 2

Early History of the Canfile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Canfile research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1295, 1307, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Canfile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Canfile 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 Canfile 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 Canfile include: Camville, Canville, Camvile, Camvill, Canvill, Canfill, Canfille, Canfile, Camfill, Camfille, Canville and many more.

Early Notables of the Canfile family

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

Migration of the Canfile family

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 Canfile or a variant listed above: 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. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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