Barfield

Barfield is a surname of English origin, derived from a place name which means 'bare field'. The name is believed to originate from various places in England where the land was cleared and used for agriculture.

Origins and Distribution

The surname Barfield is most commonly found in the southern counties of England, particularly in Hampshire, Sussex, and Surrey. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 13th century in Sussex and Wiltshire.

Notable Individuals

  • Owen Barfield (1898-1997): An English philosopher and author known for his works on language, myth, and imagination. He was a member of the Inklings literary group, which included notable figures such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
  • Sydney Barfield (born 1955): A British composer and musician who has produced several albums blending folk, rock, and classical influences.

Variants

Variants of the Barfield surname include Barefield, Barfeld, and Berfield.

Coat of Arms

The coat of arms associated with the Barfield surname features a shield with a distinctive design, often incorporating symbols associated with agriculture or land cultivation.

References

  • Reaney, P.H., & Wilson, R.M. (1995). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Barfield Family History. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.barfield.org.uk

This entry provides an overview of the origins, distribution, notable individuals, variants, and coat of arms associated with the British surname Barfield.

There are approximately 1,080 people named Barfield in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,958th most common surname in Britain. Around 17 in a million people in Britain are named Barfield.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Thomas

Female

  • Anne
  • Dawn
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Julia
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Louise
  • Lynn
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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