Leighfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Leighfield

What does the name Leighfield mean?

The name Leighfield derives its origin from the English "dweller by the lea-field", the pasture, grass-land, as at Leyfield (Nottinghamshire)." 1

Early Origins of the Leighfield family

The surname Leighfield was first found in Nottinghamshire at Leyfield. 1 However, we must look to Yorkshire to find the first listing of the family in early rolls - Hugo Layfield was listed as a Freeman of York in 1442. Later in London, we found William Leyfeld listed in 1484.

Stilton cheese has long been made in Leyfield Forest. Leafield is a village and civil parish about 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Witney in West Oxfordshire.

Early History of the Leighfield family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leighfield research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1442, 1455, 1484, 1487, 1585, 1592, 1603, 1617 and 1639 are included under the topic Early Leighfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leighfield Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Leighfield include Layfield, Leyfield, Leighfield, Leefield, Leafield, Layfield, Lafield and many more.

Early Notables of the Leighfield family

Distinguished members of the family include John Layfield (also spelled Laifield) (d. 1617), British theologian, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood before proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge, where...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leighfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leighfield migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Leighfield Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Henry Leighfield, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Fatima" 2

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The barque FATIMA 1850, 521 tons. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Fatima.htm