Barfield

Barfield is a surname that originates from the English toponym "Barfeld," thought to derive from the Old Norse "barr," meaning 'barred', and the Old English "feld," meaning 'field' or 'open land'. The name was first recorded in the 12th century and subsequently disseminated throughout England, particularly in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Over the centuries, bearers of the name have diversified in occupation; the surname appears in historical records among medieval landholders, 16th‑century scholars, and in the early aristocracy of the Commonwealth.

Among contemporary individuals, notable figures include British astrophysicist Dr. Elaine Barfield, who earned a PhD from the University of Cambridge, and American portrait painter Michael Barfield, whose works have been exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts, Chicago. In sports, English footballer Andrew Barfield played for the now defunct Leyton Orient during the 1980s.

Barfield is also a toponym in the United States. Barfield, Alabama, is an unincorporated community in a southern county along the Alabama River. According to the 2010 census, the population was fewer than 500 residents, largely reliant on agriculture and local cooperatives. The community has a historic post office that was first established in 1892.

The name Barfield appears in literature and local folklore, especially in the novel "The Barfield Chronicles," a fictional history set in 19th-century Maine. The work uses the name both for a family and for a symbolic representation of rural perseverance.