Corfield

This is a West Midlands locational name from a place so called by the river Corve in Shropshire. The name derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century "corf" meaning "cutting" and "feld"- a pasture or open country. However, in this case, the name originally appears to have been Corfhull (see first recorded spelling). Recordings of the surname from the London church registers include; the marriage of George Corfield and Katherine Cleydon, which took place on August 24th 1636 at St. Giles Cripplegate; Richard Corfield who married Agnes Jackson on August 2nd 1640 at St. Dunstan's, Stepney; and on August 2nd 1656, Elizabeth, daughter of William Corfield who was christened at St. Bride, Fleet St., London. A family representative, Rev. Frederick Corfield M.A, J.P. was vicar of Heanor, Co.Derby. He died in 1883. The Corfield Coat of Arms has three red human hearts on a silver field representing one of a worthy and religious background. The motto "serva fidem" (keep the faith) confirms this. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger de Corfhull, of Corfhull, granted lands on the River Corve to his brother, which was dated 1250, during the reign of King Henry 111, the Frenchman, 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.