Map of England showing where the Barfield arms are recorded
The Barfield arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Barfield arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Barfield Family in England
The surname Barfield is a locational name that originated in England, likely referring to individuals who lived near a field characterized by barley crops. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Barfield family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York was a significant center for trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the local merchant class or skilled trades that defined the city’s economy. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Northern England, eventually spreading to other regions as people sought new opportunities for farming and commerce. The name serves as a linguistic link to the agricultural landscape of medieval England, reflecting a time when a person’s identity was often tied directly to the land they worked or the specific geography of their home village.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Berefeld
Old English words for barley field or open land.
This name
BarfieldDerived from a topographic location referring to a field where barley was grown.
also spelled
Burfeild
Burfill
Burfild
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Probate records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
