Show ContentsEyefield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Eyefield family

The surname Eyefield 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 Eyefield family

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

Eyefield Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Eyefield include Ifield, Eyefield, Highfield, Ifold, Ifould, Hyfield, Hifield, Hyfold, Yfield, Yfeld and many more.

Early Notables of the Eyefield family

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

Migration of the Eyefield family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Eyefield 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. 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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