Setterfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Setterfield is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in the ancient chapelry of Satterthwaite found near Hawkeshead in Lancashire. This surname was originally derived from the Old English elements soetr meaning shield and pveit meaning pasture. 1

Early Origins of the Setterfield family

The surname Setterfield was first found in Cumbria at Satterthwaite, a chapelry, in the parish of Hawkshead, union of Ulverston, hundred of Lonsdale in Lancashire. 2 The village dates back to at least 1336 when it was listed as Sterthwayt. 1

"Small and secluded as is the spot, it has originated a surname that has spread far and wide. It seems to have reached London about the 16th century." 3

The Lancashire Wills at Richmond included the the following entries: Robert Saterthwaite, of Coutehouse in Hawkshead, 1596; William Satewhait, of Saterthwaite, 1604; and George Satenwhat, of Hauxhead, 1613. 3

Early History of the Setterfield family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Setterfield research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1642, 1649, 1668, 1685, 1720, 1728, 1790, 1847, 1897 and 1978 are included under the topic Early Setterfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Setterfield Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Setterfield has been recorded under many different variations, including Satterthwaite, Satherthwaite, Satterthwater and many more.

Early Notables of the Setterfield family

Notables of the family at this time include Thomas Satterthwaite (1720-1790) a prominent Quaker in Lancaster, Lancashire who was involved in the slave trade. He was the son of Thomas Satterthwaite (1685-1728) and Mary Ledger. His brother, Benjamin Satterthwaite became a factor or agent for a group of Lancaster slave traders, first in Barbados and then in...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Setterfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Setterfield family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Setterfield or a variant listed above: James Satterthwaite settled in New Jersey in 1678.

Contemporary Notables of the name Setterfield (post 1700) +

Valda Setterfield (1934-2023), British-born, American postmodern dancer and actress from Margate, Kent

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)