Redfield - Name

This name is a puzzle as despite its very 'English' appearance no early records exist in the present spelling. The name is a contradiction as 'red' is presumably derived from Olde English 'ryd' and means a cleared area suitable for agriculture, and 'field' derives from Olde English 'feld' and means an area cleared for agriculture! Our research clearly indicates that the name is of Scottish origin and derives from 'Reidfuyrd' - 'the Reedy Ford' first recorded in Angus in the 13th Century, the present name being an Anglicized variant created by dialectual change. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Andro Reidfurde. which was dated 1574 The Parish of Dysart. during the reign of King James V1 of Scotland and I of England 1567 - 1625. 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.