Whitefield (surname)

Whitefield is an English surname with topographical and locational origins. It derives from the Old English words "hwit" meaning "white" and "feld" meaning "field," thus describing someone who lived near a white field, likely referring to a field pale in color, perhaps due to chalky soil, barrenness, or a particular type of crop. As a locational surname, it could also refer to someone from a place called Whitefield.

The surname is relatively common in England, particularly in the areas where such placenames and geographical features were prevalent.

Notable people with the surname Whitefield include:

• George Whitefield (1714-1770): An English Anglican cleric and evangelist who was one of the founders of Methodism.

The surname Whitefield has variations in spelling, which may include Whitfield. Genealogical research is often required to trace the specific origins of individual families bearing the name.