Surname Oldfield - Meaning and Origin

Oldfield: What does the surname Oldfield mean?

The surname Oldfield is of English origin and is topographic in nature. It was historically given to individuals who lived or worked near an "old field" or a plot of arable land that was no longer in use or had fallen into disuse. The name is derived from the Old English words "eald," meaning old, and "feld," meaning field. It is also possible that it was a locational surname, derived from any of the numerous places in England named Oldfield. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Britain and eventually to other countries due to English emigration. Today, it is found in many English-speaking countries around the world. Like many surnames, the exact origins of Oldfield can vary for different families, influenced by factors such as geographic location, socio-economic status, and occupation.

Oldfield: Where does the name Oldfield come from?

Oldfield is a surname of English origin. The name was originally derived from residence near an "old field". It is most common today in England, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

In England, the name is most widely spread in South and West Yorkshire, where it ranks among the top 100 surnames. It's also found in Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, with smaller pockets in the East Midlands and other parts of the country.

In Australia, the name is most common in the state of New South Wales, although it is present in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.

In Canada, the name is most common in Ontario, with several hundred individuals. There are also smaller branches of the family in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.

In New Zealand, Oldfield is represented in all of the main islands.

Despite the wide spread of the name today, it was notably less common in the United States. It remains unclear when the first Oldfield arrived in the United States and where the first American Oldfields originated from.

Variations of the surname Oldfield

The surname Oldfield is derived from the English language, and primarily originated in Northern England. It is an occupational surname and originally referred to a landlord or tenant farmer who owned or managed old land. Variants of Oldfield include Oldfeld, Oldfelde, Olphild, and Oldall.

Spellings of Oldfield that can be found in records vary and include Oldefeld, Oldefild, Oldefilde, Oldfild, Oldefelde, Oldfielde, Oldefild, Oldfild, Oldifeld, Oldifild, Oldifield, Oldiphild. The surnames Oldenfield, Oltfield, and Oldfell are derived from the same source. All of these spellings and surnames are associated with the name Oldfield or variants of it.

The Oldfield surname can be found in some records as single personal names, such as ‘Oldfield Abraham’ or ‘Oldfield Long’. This suggests that Oldfield may have been used as a first name in some areas. The surnames Allfield, Audfield, and Engfield are alternatives to Oldfield, which mean the same thing but originated in different regions. For example, Allfield is derived from Old English and hails from Oxfordshire and the West Midlands.

In some cases, the surname Oldfield is also used as a middle name, especially in families where the main surname is a variation of Oldfield, such as Oldenfield and Oltfield. In these instances, Oldfield is used to emphasise one’s lineage.

The surname Oldfield is still found in various parts of the world today, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, among others.

Famous people with the name Oldfield

• Mike Oldfield: British multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter who recorded and released his debut library music album, Tubular Bells, in 1973.
• Rick Oldfield: British actor who played Banzai in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
• Tom Oldfield: British actor who starred in the show In The Club.
• Monty Oldfield: British driver who won the Australian Grand Prix in 1935.
• John Oldfield: British composer who wrote the score for the 1982 movie The Dark Crystal.
• Harry Oldfield: British pioneer in the field of subtle energy known for creating the technique of Polycontrast Interference Photography.
• John Oldfield: English cricketer who played for Worcestershire in the early 20th century and was known as 'Gentleman Johnny'.
• Robert Oldfield: Australian actor who starred in the Australian TV show, Housos.
• William Oldfield: British soldier who fought in the Second World War in Egypt, North Africa and Iraq.
• Vincent Oldfield: Australian visual artist who is best known for his abstract artworks made from found objects.

Other surnames

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