Surname Barfield - Meaning and Origin
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Barfield: What does the surname Barfield mean?
The surname Barfield is of English origin and was first found in Yorkshire, England. It is derived from two old English terms - “bere,” meaning barley, and “feld,” meaning field. Hence, the surname Barfield indicates "a barley field." It is likely to have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a field of barley or possibly an occupational name for someone who worked in a barley field. As with many surnames, the spelling of Barfield over time has taken on several variations including Barefield, Barfeild, and others. As families moved from their original locations, names often changed to accommodate different dialects and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisBarfield: Where does the name Barfield come from?
The surname Barfield is of Anglo-Saxon origin, emerging from the old English lands. It is topographic, developed from the residence of the original bearers. It originates from the components "bar," meaning boar, and "feld," meaning field—thus, it implies “open land where the boars roam.” It may have emerged from Barfield in Sussex or Barefield in Hertfordshire.
Since the evolution of surnames in medieval times, the Barfield name has spread widely, and it can be found in various parts of the world today. However, it is most common in English-speaking nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom. In the US, it is especially widespread in the Southern states, including Georgia, Alabama and Texas, among others. It's also prevalent in London, England.
But the distribution of the Barfield surname doesn't mean it's highly common. According to the 2014 US Census, it ranked 3,736th in most common surnames in the country. In England, a 2011 demographic survey similarly ranked it as the 4870th most common surname. Though not as frequent as other last names, its historical significance and lineage remain strong.
Variations of the surname Barfield
The surname Barfield has various variants and similar spellings that have originated from it or share the same root. These include Barfeld, Barefield, Barfeild, Barrfield, Berfield, and Bearfield.
In some cases, it may also be connected to surnames of slightly different forms but similar pronunciation, such as Burfield or Barefutt. The surname can also have derivations like Barfields, identifying a family or descendant from a common Barfield ancestor.
The surname Barfield is of English origin, and it is locational, derived from some place named with the Old English words "bar," which means boar and "feld," which means open country or field. Some believe that it originated from a hamlet named Barfield in Middlesex, England.
Please note, due to the complex nature of surname evolution and regional variations, there might be other spellings or variants not mentioned in this brief overview.
Famous people with the name Barfield
- Wayne Barfield: He is a renowned American songwriter.
- Warren Barfield: An American Christian musician and guitarist.
- Bonnie Barfield: She’s a film producer recognized for her work on films like "The Woman in Red."
- Clyde Barfield: An American politician who served in the Alabama State Senate.
- Amelia Barfield: She was a Scottish stage actress best known for her comedy roles.
- Arthur Barfield: He was a recognized cricketer.
- Josh Barfield: Known as a professional baseball player, he's the son of Jesse Barfield.
- Jesse Barfield: An American former professional baseball player and father of Josh Barfield.
- Cynthia Barfield: She is known as the wife of the former governor of Georgia and U.S senator, George David Tindon.
- Maeveen Barfield: Wife of Honourable Maurice Barfield, she has served in multiple community organizations in Australia.
- Sy Barfield: Known in the music industry as an R&B singer who performed with the group "The Paradons."
- Thomas Barfield: An anthropologist known for his knowledge on the social structure in nomadic communities.
- Damien Barfield: A British cricketer.
- Raymond Barfield: Known for his works as a physician, philosopher, and author.