Markenfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Markenfield was first found in Yorkshire at Markington, a village in the Harrogate district which dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it was listed as Merchinton. The place name may have been derived from the Old English word Merce + tun, combined to mean "farmstead of the Mercians." Alternatively, the place name could have meant "farmstead of the boundary-dwellers." 1

This village is closely related to Markenfield Hall located nearby. It is generally believed that in 1150 that estate belonged to the Le Bret family who adopted the name de Markenfield. The present hall was built by John de Markenfield, an associate of Piers Gaveston and a servant of Edward II, whose reign lasted from 1307 to 1327.

"Their house, built by John de Markenfield, who obtained license to castellate in 1309, stands about two miles from Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. It retains all the main features of the original work; geometrical windows, moat, hall, kitchen, solar, chapel, and offices, and is one of the best preserved specimens of the picturesque architecture of the time. It was forfeited to the Crown in the reign of Elizabeth, by Thomas Markenfield, who took a principal part in the Rising of the North. His father is mentioned by Leland: 'Markenfilde dwellith at Markenfelde, and his Maner Place berithe his Name.' I might further speak of Sir Ninian, who commanded a force at Flodden, or Sir Thomas, who lies buried under a stately tomb in Ripon Minster, if I did not doubt whether so English-sounding a name should have a place here. It may be derived from a Norman source, as Greenfield is from Greenville, or Streatfield from Estreeville, but I can find no mention or trace of such an origin, except it be the 'Sieur de Marcouville' mentioned in the Nohiliaire de Normandie."