Show ContentsIfill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ifill family

The surname Ifill 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 Ifill family

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

Ifill 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 Ifill 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. The variations of the name Ifill include: Ifield, Eyefield, Highfield, Ifold, Ifould, Hyfield, Hifield, Hyfold, Yfield, Yfeld and many more.

Early Notables of the Ifill family

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

Migration of the Ifill 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 Ifill 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..


Contemporary Notables of the name Ifill (post 1700) +

  • Gwendolyn L. "Gwen" Ifill (1955-2016), American journalist, television newscaster, managing editor of Washington Week, co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS NewsHour


  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.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook