Surname Sofield - Meaning and Origin
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Sofield: What does the surname Sofield mean?
Sofield is an English surname, although its origin is somewhat unclear. It may be a derivation or Americanization of similar sounding European last names. One possible origin is the old English name "Sewell", which means "sea strong", given to persons who lived by the sea or had a strong connection with the sea. Another possible source is the Old Norse name "Solvi" which means "sun strength". Similarly, it could also be a variant of the German last name "Siebold", with "Sie" meaning "victory" and "bold" meaning "bold or brave". Ultimately, the true meaning and origin of the surname Sofield may be better determined by tracing the specific lineage of a family bearing the name. It's also worth mentioning that last names often evolved based on a person’s profession, place of residence, or personal characteristic. Nowadays, the common thread among those carrying the surname Sofield is most likely familial relations rather than a shared profession or location. The name is carried by individuals and families primarily in the United States, England, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisSofield: Where does the name Sofield come from?
The last name Sofield is not particularly common today. It has its origins in England and is likely of Anglo-Saxon or Norman French heritage. In England, Sofield is particularly common in the south of the country, in counties such as Kent, Sussex, and Essex, as well as in London. It can also be found in smaller numbers in other parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, particularly in more rural areas. In the United States, people with the last name Sofield are most commonly found in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and California. During the later 19th century, many people with this name immigrated to the United States from the British Isles, particularly to areas such as New York City.
Today, people with the last name Sofield can be found in various parts of the world. In South America, one can find people with the name living in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. There is also a small population of individuals with this name in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. As of the latest census data, the worldwide population of people with the last name Sofield was approximately 5,000.
Variations of the surname Sofield
The surname Sofield is an English name of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived by a patch of open land or else derived from either Soughfield or Sowfield. Spellings of the name include Sowfield, Soufield, Sofield, Souffell, Souffle, Soughfield, Suffel, Suffell, Suffield, and Sowfell.
The surname can also appear in the variant forms Saffel and Sawfield, though these are likely to have a different origin, such as the Old English words ‘saff’ meaning ‘mud’, or the Old Norse saughilf meaning ‘ditching’.
Other surnames that have similar origins to Sofield are Souflee, Saffell, and Sowell. These all come from the Old French souflee, meaning a shallow depression in the ground. This was often used as a place for livestock to drink from, so the name may refer to someone who owned or stayed near such a place.
Other English surnames that have similar origins include Sowle, Suffill, Sewell, Souill, Siddle, and Sudell, which are derived from the Old English term ‘sufel’ or ‘sowyl’ meaning ‘rule’.
In Scotland, the surname Sofield has also been recorded in various locations and spellings, including Souffie, Souphie, Soughfy, Soufie, and Souffe.
All of these surnames can be viewed as being related to Sofield in one way or another – either through direct descent or through a similar topographic origin.
Famous people with the name Sofield
- Richard Sofield: Award winning English actor
- William Sofield: Interior designer and architect
- Shelia Sofield: Award-winning costume designer
- Harry Sofield: Award-winning British poet
- Andrew Sofield: American television producer and director
- Holly Sofield: U.S. Soccer player
- Meg Sofield: International model
- James Sofield: Producer and director
- Claire Sofield: Olympic long distance runner
- Joseph Sofield: American professional lacrosse player
- Adriana Sofield: Latin Jazz musician
- Maria Sofield: Award-winning makeup artist and hairstylist
- Jackson Sofield: Writer and filmmaker
- Julie Sofield: Award-winning voice actress
- Mandy Sofield: Pop singer and songwriter
- Tara Sofield: Sculptor and painter
- David Sofield: Lewis and Clark Expedition pioneer
- Tim Sofield: US Air Force soldier
- John Sofield: Broadway producer
- Scott Sofield: Sailboat racing champion