TANFIELD
Tanfield
Tanfield is an English surname of locational origin, deriving from the village of Tanfield in County Durham, North East England. The village's name is thought to be derived from the Old English words 'tang', meaning an enclosure or a structure made of branches, and 'feld', meaning an open piece of land or a field.
History
The first known record of the Tanfield surname dates back to the early 13th century, with John de Tanfield being listed in the Hundred Rolls of 1273 in Berkshire. The Tanfield family were historically connected to the village of Tanfield in County Durham, where they held lands and were prominent figures in the local community.
During the medieval period, the Tanfield family expanded their influence and estates to other parts of England, particularly in the counties of Northumberland and Yorkshire. Over time, branches of the Tanfield family branched out and settled in various regions, leading to the proliferation of the surname across different parts of the country.
Notable Individuals
- Sir Lawrence Tanfield (c. 1551–1625): A prominent English lawyer and politician, Sir Lawrence Tanfield served as the Chief Baron of the Exchequer and was a Member of Parliament during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.
- Katherine Tanfield: Fictional character in the historical novel "The Queen's Dollmaker" by Christine Trent.
Today, the Tanfield surname continues to be found in various regions of the United Kingdom and beyond, with individuals bearing the name engaged in diverse professions and pursuits, reflecting the evolution of the family over the centuries.
There are approximately 226 people named Tanfield in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Tanfield.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Christopher
- Darren
- David
- Derek
- Graeme
- Graham
- James
- Jason
- Mark
- Nicholas
- Nigel
- Peter
- Stephen
- Stuart
Female
- Amanda
- Angela
- Anna
- Christine
- Dorothy
- Julie
- Kathryn
- Kay
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Patricia
- Susan