Surname Coffield - Meaning and Origin

Coffield: What does the surname Coffield mean?

The surname Coffield is of English origin and is considered a locational surname. It is derived from two Old English words, 'copp' which means 'top', 'summit', or 'crest' and 'feld' which means 'open country' or 'field'. Therefore, Coffield can be interpreted as 'open field on top of a hill'. It is believed to have first been used in Sussex county in Southeastern England. Its use was rather common among those living in or near a field or open country. Locational surnames like this one were often given to individuals upon migration as a means to identify their place of origin. As with many surnames, variations of the spelling may include Copfield, Copplefield, and Cofield, amongst others. Over time Coffield and its variants have spread, with people bearing the name now residing all over the world.

Coffield: Where does the name Coffield come from?

The surname Coffield is of Irish origin and it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Dubhghaill", which means "son of Dubhgall". The element "Dubhgall" consists of two parts: ‘dubh’ meaning black and ‘gall’ meaning stranger. This name was historically often assumed by Scandinavians, denoting ‘dark foreigners’.

In terms of its distribution today, it's most prevalent in the United States, especially in states like Texas, California, Tennessee, and Virginia, according to Forebears. It may also be found in Ireland, where the name originated, and England, although it is less common there. Outside of these countries, it's generally very rare. Despite its Irish origins, Coffield has become more of an American surname over time due to patterns of immigration, anglicization of original names, and distribution. Notably, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have seen numerous forms, including MacDowell, McDowell, Dowell, O'Dowell, Dow, Dowe, Doow, Dool, and Doule.

Variations of the surname Coffield

The surname Coffield can have different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Coffield, Cofield, Coffelt, Coffieldt, Coffields, Cofeld, Coffeld, Koffield, Kofield, Coffind, and Coaffield. Some of these variations may be the result of spelling errors, phonetic spelling, or regional differences in spelling and pronunciation.

The specific origin of the surname Coffield is English. It is likely that it derived from a place name, as many English surnames often do. In this case, possibly from the place name Cofield in the county of Derbyshire, or similar.

Similar surnames from the same geographical region could include Field, Sheffield, Mansfield, Canfield, Whitfield, Hatfield, and Stamford. These all carry elements of place names as well, indicating places of residence or birthplaces of individuals, and thus carry a similar historical and etymological genesis.

Remember, due to the centuries of migrations, invasions, and cultural blending, spelling variations are quite common in surnames. Therefore, making it impossible to capture all possible variations of the given surname.

Famous people with the name Coffield

• Stewart Coffield: He is a well-known Canadian professional ice hockey player. His career spanned from late 1960s to 70s and he played for numerous teams around Canada.
• Virginia Coffield: She was a civil rights activist known for her contribution to the NAACP in Maryland. She dedicated her life to the fight for equality and civil rights for African Americans.
• William Coffield: He is an architect who is famous for creating master plans for municipalities and zoning.
• Clifford Coffield: He is an American lawyer who also served as a judge in the Superior Court of Washington.
• Shana Coffield: She is an American professional wrestler, known by her ring name "Princess Victoria". Please note that personages with the last name 'Coffield' are not particularly well-known globally, but could be recognized in their respective fields or communities.

Other surnames

Coffie