Map of England showing where the Scofield arms are recorded
The Scofield arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1582.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Scofield 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Scofield Family in England
The surname Scofield is a locational name that originated in the northern regions of England. It is derived from the Old English words "scoh," meaning a shed or a shelter, and "feld," which refers to an open piece of land. This suggests that the earliest members of the family were likely farmers or laborers who lived near a specific clearing or field that contained a small structure. By the late 16th century, the family had established a clear presence in the county of Lancashire, specifically around the town of Lancaster. Records from 1582 confirm that individuals bearing this name were active in the local community during this period. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from early variations like Scolefield to the modern version used today. These early ancestors were part of the rural working class who helped shape the local economy and social fabric of the Lancashire region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Scofeld
A field belonging to a person of Scandinavian or Norse descent.
This name
ScofieldDerived from a topographic location referring to a field associated with a Norse settler.
also spelled
Schofield
Scofeld
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, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, 1582
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bullValour and generosity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bullValour and generosity
