Linfield

Many English surnames derive from one or more locations. In this particular case, the surname is one of this category and derives from either "Lindfield" in Sussex, or "Lingfield" in Surrey. The former recorded "Lindefeldia" and "Lendefelda" circa 765, (Cartularium Saxonicum), means "Lime-tree field", from the Old English words "Linden", Limetrees and "feld", field open country. The latter place name in Surrey, appeared as "Leangafeld" in 871, (Cartularium Saxonicum) means "the field of Leangas", coming from the Old English "feld", as above and "Leangas", from "Leah-ingas", meaning "people living in a leah" (an open place in a wood). George son of Edward Lyndfield was christened at Bolney, Sussex on May 21st 1546, and on February 4th 1545 Elyabeth Bryggs married Richard Lyngfield at Merstham, Surrey. One Alicia lingfield married Ricum Arnold at Cowfold, Sussex on June 14th 1574. The earliest appearance of the surname in London church Records is in 1626, when on October 8th, at St. Benet Paul Wharf, Margarett Lonfdd married Edward Fairey. Mary Linfielf was christened on December 10th 1701 at St. Dunstan, Stepney, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Lyngfeyld, which was dated October 7th 1539, christened at Merstham in Surrey, during the reign of King Henry V111, "Good King Hal", 1509 - 1547. 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.