| ![Show Contents]() Leafield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of LeafieldWhat does the name Leafield mean? The name Leafield derives its origin from the English "dweller by the lea-field", the pasture, grass-land, as at Leyfield (Nottinghamshire)." 1 Early Origins of the Leafield familyThe surname Leafield was first found in Nottinghamshire at Leyfield. 1 However, we must look to Yorkshire to find the first listing of the family in early rolls - Hugo Layfield was listed as a Freeman of York in 1442. Later in London, we found William Leyfeld listed in 1484. Stilton cheese has long been made in Leyfield Forest. Leafield is a village and civil parish about 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Witney in West Oxfordshire. Early History of the Leafield familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leafield research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1442, 1455, 1484, 1487, 1585, 1592, 1603, 1617 and 1639 are included under the topic Early Leafield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Leafield Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Leafield have been found, including Layfield, Leyfield, Leighfield, Leefield, Leafield, Layfield, Lafield and many more. Early Notables of the Leafield familyJohn Layfield (also spelled Laifield) (d. 1617), British theologian, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood before proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was a Fellow from 1585...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leafield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Leafield familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Leafield, or a variant listed above: Ann Layfield, who settled in Virginia in 1635. She may have been accompanied by her husband.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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