Last name: Schofield

Recorded in various spelling forms which now include Schofield and Scholefield, this is a Northern English surname. It is locational from a now "lost" medieval village, believed to have been in the county palatine of Lancashire, although the popularity of the name in Yorkshire also suggests a "lost" source there as well. The derivation is from the pre 7th century Olde English words "schole" meaning a hut or shed used in the summer grazing months, and "feld", a pasture or open country suitable forr grazing. Locational surnames usually developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Spelling being at best erratic and local accents very thick, lead to the development of alternate spellings. Recordings taken from the early surviving church registers of the diocese of Greater London include: Ann Schofield, who was christened at St. Lawrence Jewry, on April 23rd 1572, and another Ann Schofield, who married Samuel Rowland at the famous church of St. Marylebone, on December 4th 1769. An interesting namebearer, recorded in the "Dictionary of National Biography", was William Scholefield (1809 - 1867). He was the first mayor of the new city of Birmingham in 1838, and was also a radical M.P. for Birmingham from 1847 to 1867. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John de Scholefeld. This was dated 1343, in the Chartulary of Whalley Abbey, Lancashire, during the reign of King Edward 111rd of England, Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Visitor Comments

David Schofield
This is interesting; my Gradfather has always told me that his superior officer in the Royal Navy told him that the name was originally Schonefeld (in German "Pretty Field"). He continued that the bearers of this name had emigrated from Germany some many centuries ago and were persecuted for having a German name and so changed it. Good info. Thanks.

Ashlee Scholefield
Possibly the name Scholefield already existed and the Schonefelds changed it to that.

Lisa Willinger
We were told the name meant "Freshly mown field surrounded by a thicket" but can't remember who told us. Now not sure if this is correct. My husband, Herbert Spencer Schofield IV, found his great grandfather's village, Delft in Yorkshire, near the city of Oldham. Unlike the city, Delft was a lovely little village in a valley, very rural, very pretty. We actually found the home his family had inhabited for 600 years, called the Grange, located on "The Heights" and met a distant relative. Turns out Schofield was a very common name there, the graveyard was full of them. Hard to do research without knowing more about the great grandfather, including the year he emigrated, unfortunately.

John Schofield
Hi Lisa...Do you mean Delph this is a small village just outside the town of Oldham. But both Delph and Oldham are in Lancashire not Yorkshire. I'm a Schofield myself and come from a village called Littleborough in Lancashire not far from Delph (10 miles).....it appears we've been in the area for many generations.

shelley
William Scholefield 1809 - 1867 first mayor of birmingham was my Great (not sure how many Greats) Grandfather!!

Paul George Schofield
My Great Grandfather Joseph Schofield came from Leeds in Yorkshire and was a cavalry soldier during WW1. My Grandfather was a Desert Rat in the 7th Armoured Division in WW2 and survived two years in an Italian POW camp after being captured. I have also served in Iraq and was attached to what is now the 7th Armoured Brigade. I'm very proud of my family name!

Sylvia (nee: Schofield) Ellingwood
Any of you U.S. Schofields decend from George, who settled in Philadelphia/Chester Co., Pa., father of William who served under General Anthony Wayne in the Battle of Brandywine and others?? If so, would love to hear from you. seeschick2@peoplepc.com

John Schofield
I know my grandfather clement schofield was from pennsylvania,not sure the city or co.

Geoff
My name is Geoffrey Schofield. Father: Bruce Kimball Schofield; Born: Kemerer-Diamondville, WY Grand Father: Henry Bruce Schofield; Born: Aladdin, WY Great Grand Father: Wright Bruce Schofield; Born: Yorkshire, U.K. Anybody familiar with these names?

desi
my mom's name is ann scholefield thats sooooooo wierd i didnt no that so thats like her greatx10 grandma or somthing!!!

O.J PHILIP
Am from Africa KENYA am Philip. I have named my son Schofield. My reseach is dated back to 13th cent historical books. I did this when i was name searching. I had a revelation that the gift am receiving from heavens above is a source of help to the community, therefore a manifestation after reading widely manifested in my dreams. Name your baby boy MICHEAL SCHOFIELD Simply means the yard of food. source of pasture. source of wisdom. ref book

Marjorie Schofield
I am looking for Schofield's from Lancashire, Atherton and Leigh area. I have cenutries of Ancestors that I am trying to trace. I know my Grandfathers' name was Pharoah Schofield, G Grandfather James Edward, gg Grandfather Pharoah, GGG Grandfather was Walker Schofield and another Walker before that. There were a lot of sons in the family John, Tom, Bernard, James and sisters Minnie, Lilly and Anne. Just for a start.

susan
are you from south yorkshire denaby. am trying to trace someone with same name as you

mark schofield
i am a schofield from the leigh area , my grandad owned a pet shop on railway rd leigh

Keith Schofield
You can see my Schofield family on my web site at http://kescho.webeden.co.uk/# that starts with Robert (1812 to 1871). He was born at Elland in West Yorkshire. The family subsequently lived mainly in and around Halifax. Any additions to the family history are most welcome,

Kimberly Schofield
To Paul George Schofield, My Great Grandmother came from Leeds and was married to a Schofield. Do you know if your Great Grandfather was married and if so, to whom? We just might be related!