Driffill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins and Etymology of Driffill

The surname Driffill was first found in Gloucestershire, in the parish of Driffield or in either Great Driffield or Little Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Collectively all of the parishes date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 but with older spellings: Drifelle, Gloucestershire; and Drifield, Yorkshire. Each had essentially the same meaning: "open land characterized by dirt, or by stubble," from the Old English words "drit" or "drif" + "feld." 1

Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Driffield which was held by Reinbald the Priest, a Norman under-tenant, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Being a priest didn't preclude offspring at that time.

Early History of the Driffill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Driffill research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1218 is included under the topic Early Driffill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Driffill Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Driffield, Drifield, Dryfield, Dryffield and many more.

Early Notables of the Driffill family

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

Driffill migration to the United States +

Driffill Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Driffill, who settled in South Carolina in 1797

Driffill Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas J. Driffill, who settled in New Orleans in 1851
Louisa Driffill, who arrived in New Orleans in 1851
Frederick Driffill, who settled in New Orleans in 1851
Emma Driffill, who settled in New Orleans in 1851
B. Driffill, who settled in New Orleans in 1851
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)