Surname Delderfield - Meaning and Origin
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Delderfield: What does the surname Delderfield mean?
The last name Delderfield is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from an Old English place name meaning “dell” or “meadow belonging to someone called Dēor”, where the first element, Dēor, is Old English personal name Clead meaning “shelter”, “protection”, or “refuge”, and the second element, feld, was the word for “open country”. Thus, Delderfield means “a meadow belonging to someone called Clead”.
The surname Delderfield first appeared in the 12th century in the county of Herefordshire. Some of the first recorded instances of the name include Reginald de Deldeford in 1219 and Osbert de Deldeford in 1221.
The Delderfield family name is linked to the larger Anglo-Saxon culture and its history. During the middle ages, ancestors of the Delderfield family lived in Herefordshire. They were landowners and activists in their local community. Their early involvement in the local affairs of the region is an indication of their wealth and importance during these times.
This connection to the past can still be seen in some of the modern Delderfields. The motto of the Delderfield family is, “Ad Spectandum Turpiter”, which translates to “To behold disgracefully”, and family crest is three red roses. This is a reflection of the family’s commitment to their roots, as well as their outlook on life—a commitment to stand strong even in the face of trouble, and hold on to traditional values.
Order DNA origin analysisDelderfield: Where does the name Delderfield come from?
The last name Delderfield is most common today within the United Kingdom. Primarily, the surname is associated with Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire in the West Midlands. As far back as the 13th century, it has been connected to these counties as surnames that were recorded as early as 1195.
Over the centuries, the name spread across England to the other parts of the country, including to Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Kent, and Derbyshire. Additionally, with the significant growth of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, many of those with the name Delderfield chose to settle in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India, among other countries with British roots.
The name Delderfield is most often found listed on censuses, parish registers, and war memorials. Worldwide, there are thousands of individuals who can trace their ancestory back to those original families originating in the West Midlands. Recent research, most notably carried out at the University of Oxford Family History Research Unit, has combined local records with DNA analysis to create a comprehensive history of the Delderfield name in Britain and beyond.
Variations of the surname Delderfield
The surname Delderfield has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Depending on the country of origin and the language it is spelled in, the cognates and variations may vary considerably.
In English, derivatives such as Delafield, Deaulfild and Delaford, as well as variants such as Delderfeild, Deldrefield, Deldrefild, Delefild and Deldredfield can be found. In some instances, Delderfield may be alternatively spelled as Dilferfield, Delderfild, Deldarfield, Dillferfield, or Deldervile.
In German, the surname may appear as Deldorfelder or Deldorfilder. In French, a common spelling would be Deledefeu. In Spanish, the surname is sometimes spelt Delgadoflores. In Italian, Delderfield may be alternatively spelled as Deledelfle.
Finally, other surnames derived from the same origin include the Dutch, Dolderfeld and the Scandinavian, Deldorf. Other derivatives of Delderfield which are less common include Dolverfield, Daeverfield, Delerfield, Deliverfield, and Delverfield. Overall, it is evident that Delderfield has a wide and varied range of cognates, spellings and surnames.
Famous people with the name Delderfield
- David Delderfield: British novelist and playwright
- Rolf Delderfield: British actor
- Jodie Delderfield: BBC news presenter
- Philip Delderfield: Past British polo champion
- John Delderfield: English historian
- Don Delderfield: British record producer
- Stephen Delderfield: Author and art historian
- Roald Delderfield: British actor
- Patricia Delderfield: British novelist
- Alan Delderfield: British painter