Map of England showing where the Littlefield arms are recorded
The Littlefield 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 Littlefield 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 Littlefield Family in England
The surname Littlefield is of English origin and describes a person who lived near a small field. The family name first appears in historical records in England during the Middle Ages, particularly in the southern counties. By the early 17th century, members of the family sought new opportunities across the Atlantic. Edmund Littlefield and his wife Annis are among the most notable early figures, as they arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony around 1637 before settling in the area of Wells and York in the District of Maine by the early 1640s. These early settlers were instrumental in the development of the region, working as farmers and mill operators to establish a permanent community in the rugged wilderness. Their presence in York helped form the foundation of the town, and their descendants remained prominent figures in local government and trade for many generations.
Littlefield Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
lytel and feld
Small or little and an open area of cleared land.
This name
LittlefieldA topographic name for someone who lived near a small field or clearing.
also spelled
Lytlefield
Littelfield
Littlefeild
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward. History of York, Maine. 1931
Littlefield, Edith. The Littlefield Family of Wells and York, Maine. 1975
Maine State Archives. York County Deeds. 1642-1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
knightChivalry and service in arms
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
knightChivalry and service in arms
