Fields Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Fields last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Fields last name
Meaning of the Fields last name: dweller by the open fields. Fields first marked a household living out on or beside the open fields of a medieval village, from Old English feld, "open country, pasture". In open-field farming, the village land was divided into long strips held by different families, and a man who lived out among them could be called "atte Felde". The -s form is common in the Midlands and in America, where it became one of the 300 most frequent names. The singular Field is more common in southern England, while Fields with the -s is typical of the Midlands and northern counties. Medieval records show the name as atte Feld and de la Felde from the 13th century. In the United States, Fields became widespread in the South, including Virginia, the Carolinas and Kentucky. The comedian W. C. Fields made the name famous in the 20th century, although his family name was Dukenfield.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Fields name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Fields name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Fields name FAQ
What does the Fields name mean?
Dweller by the open fields. Common variants include Field, Feild, Feilds.
Where does the Fields surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Fields coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Fields crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Fields coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.