Recorded in several spelling forms including Armfield, Arnfield, Arnfeild, and Arnefield, this is an English locational surname. It originates from a place called "Arnfield" in the county of Cheshire, and as such may have Olde English pre 7th century origins. It is believed to refer to a horse racing track or similar, the development being from the words "aerne" meaning "fit for riding", and "feld", a large area of cleared ground. Although "feld" did develop into the later field, the meanings are quite dissimilar. A "field" in its later medieval sense, being a fenced enclosure suitable for agriculture. Horses have always formed a major part of the British sporting scene, and there a number of examples of now lost race tracks, of which the only trace remaining is the surviving place name of surname. Examples of early church recordings taken from authentic surviving registers include Elisha Arnfeild, christened at the church of St Lawrence Pountney, city of London, on November 28th 1628, and Jane Arnfield, who married John Rowbotham, at Stockport, Cheshire, on May 5th 1721. The first known example of the name recording is believed to be that of Christopher Arnefield, who married Margaret Houlte, at St Michael's church, Macclesfield, Cheshire, on February 27th 1584. This was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603.

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