Fifield Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Fifield Origin:

England

Origins of Fifield:

It is a geographical name listed in the London region from the middle of the 16th Century. It acquires from the hamlet of Fyfield in Berkshire, an area which was listed in the Anglo-Saxon records of 956, A.D. in the rule of King Edwy (955-959) as “aet fif hidum” and in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Five hides.” This latter spelling shows the real source and meaning “A place of five hides,” this being the common land of a then, similar in status to the next Norman fighter. A “hide” was itself enough for the support of one “free” family, and different from fifteen to thirty acres. The “present” Hamlet spelling is about 1500. The surname recordings are Robert Fifield, a witness at St. Giles Cripplegate in March 1638, in the rule of Charles 1, “The Martyr,” 1625-1649.

Variations:

More common variations are: Fiefield, Fiffield, Faifield, Feifield, Fifieled, Fifeld, Fyfield, Fafield, Fifeild, Fifiled.

England:

The surname Fifield first appeared in Wiltshire where they held a family seat as Kings of the Castle. The Saxon impact of English history declined after the war of Hastings in 1066. French was the language of courts for the next three centuries, and the Norman rule overcame. But Saxon surnames remained and the family name was first introduced in the year 1236 when William de Fyfield held lands in that shire.

The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of Ann Fifeld, dated about 1575, named at “St. Mary Whitechapel”, London. It was during the time of Queen Elizabeth I, who was known to be the “Good Queen Bess,” dated 1558-1603. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England. Surnames all over the country began to develop, with unique and shocking spelling varietions of the original one.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Fifield had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Fifield settled in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the individuals with the name Fifield who landed in the United States in the 17th century included William Fifield, who arrived in Newbury, Massachusetts in 1639. John Fifield, who came to Massachusetts in 1665.

People with the surname Fifield who settled in the United States in the 18th century included A B Fifield, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851.

The following century saw many more Fifield surnames arrive. Some of the population with the surname Fifield who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Emily Fifield at the age of 65, who landed in America, in 1906. Geo. A. Fifield, who landed in America, in 1907. Carrie E. Fifield, who landed in America, in 1907. Jane Fifield at the age of 22 landed in America, in 1908. Ethel Fifield at the age of 37 shifted to America, in 1910.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Fifield: United States 3,320; England 1,000; Canada 821; New Zealand 293; South Africa 256; Australia 243; Wales 102; Scotland 92; Italy 56; Singapore 18.

Notable People:

Adele Fifield (born 1966), was a Canadian manager of the War Amps’ National Amputee Centre.

Arthur Fifield was a founder of English publishing house A. C. Fifield, taken over in 1922 by Jonathan Cape.

Cec Fifield was an Australian rugby league football player and referee of the 20th century.

Darren Fifield was an English fighter of the 1990s.

Edwin G. Fifield (June 1862 – December 1925) was an American businessman and leader. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Jim Fifield was an American administrator of EMI.

Mitchell Peter “Mitch” Fifield was born in January 1967. He is an Australian leader. He is a representative of the Australian Senate mentioning the state of Victoria for the Liberal Party since March 2004

Samuel S. Fifield (June 1839–February 1915) was a Wisconsin leader and prominent merchant. The town of Fifield, Wisconsin was called after him.

Elaine Fifield (1930–1999), was an Australian ballerina.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Notes: None. Blazon: Per fesse vert and ar. a pale counterchanged, three acorns or.
2) Notes: (Bromley, co. Kent). Blazon: Erm. on a bend engr. az. three cinquefoils or. Crest—A falcon rising gu.