Surname Critchfield - Meaning and Origin
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Critchfield: What does the surname Critchfield mean?
The surname Critchfield is of English origin, originating from the Old English terms 'cric' which means Creek or a bend and 'feld' refering to 'field'. Therefore, it can be inferred that the surname Critchfield has the geographic implication, probably referring to someone living by the field near a creek or bend. It's most likely that the name was used to identify those who originated from such an area. The various spellings of the name through history include Crichfield, Crichlow, and Critchlow among others. Most bearers of the surname are found in the United States and to a lesser extent in United Kingdom and Canada. Like many surnames, the exact origin and the initial bearer of Critchfield is not recorded due to the simple fact that surnames gradually came into common use and were not usually documented.
Order DNA origin analysisCritchfield: Where does the name Critchfield come from?
The surname Critchfield is of English origin, believed to be locational, derived from some now lost place in England, possibly due to changes in spelling over centuries or destruction of the location. The name might also have been derived from "Crich", a parish and village in Derbyshire, combined with "field", indicating a field or open land.
Studying the distribution of the Critchfield family in the 18th and 19th centuries, it appears this name was quite common in the United States, particularly in the state of Ohio. Today, the occurrence of the surname Critchfield remains most frequent in the United States, especially in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, Indiana, Iowa, and Idaho, among others. Some Critchfield families are also found in Canada, England, Australia, and Switzerland. However, despite its geographical spread, the last name is considered relatively uncommon.
Variations of the surname Critchfield
The surname Critchfield is of Anglo-Saxon origin and believed to have derived from the term for someone from a specific geographical area such as a marsh or field. The surname Critchfield can also have various spelling and variant forms, based on phonetic translations and geographical distributions. Alternate spellings could include "Kritchfield", "Crichfield", "Critchfeld", or "Kritchfeld".
It can also be found as "Critchfiel" or "Critchflid", representing spellings that may have evolved over time due to changes in language and pronunciation. Other variants like "Cretchfield", "Cretchfeld", “Krutchfield” or "Krutchfeld" can also be found depending upon the region and local dialect.
It must be noted that surname variations often occurred due to an absence of spelling rules in early centuries, allowing for individual interpretation and phonetic spellings. Even within the same document, a person’s name could have been recorded in multiple ways. Surnames with similar origins can include other topographical names such as Marshfield, Greenfield, or similar names which combine a physical feature with "field".
Famous people with the name Critchfield
- Richard Critchfield: American journalist and author specializing in rural development in Third World countries.
- James H. Critchfield: Well-known officer of the CIA, noted for his role in the Cold War.
- J. Larry Critchfield: American scientist working primarily in petroleum geology, energy resources forecasting, and economic geology.
- Sarah Critchfield: known for her work as an editor at Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan.
- Lisa Critchfield: Renowned US theatre personality and the former wife of Hollywood actor, John Goodman.
- George H. Critchfield: Prominent medicine practitioner known for his work in the field of cervical cancer.
- Nicholas Paul "Nick" Critchfield: A former US marine who served in Afghanistan and is known for his work as an actor and producer.
- Jennifer Critchfield: Rising name in the field of writing and acting.
- Jeremy Critchfield: Popular actor known for his work in Hollywood movies such as "The Postman" and the renowned TV series "House of Cards".
- Jonathan Critchfield: American academic and environmental scientist.