Setchfield
A locational surname derived from a place name containing the Old English elements "sæc" meaning "dry ground" and "feld" meaning "field".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Setchfield. That puts it at #151,532 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Setchfield surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#151,532
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
108
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 108 bearers of the surname Setchfield in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 151532nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Setchfield, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Setchfield
The surname Setchfield is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place called Setchfield or a variation thereof, likely a small village or hamlet.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Setchfield can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a Willelmus de Sechesfeld is mentioned. This entry suggests that the name was already in use and established by the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the Setchfield surname appears in various historical records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, where a Johannes Setchfeld is listed. This variation in spelling, Setchfeld, was likely a common occurrence in those times due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.
During the 15th century, the Setchfield name can be found in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, from 1421. This record mentions a John Sechfeld, further reinforcing the connection of the surname to the Yorkshire region.
One notable figure bearing the Setchfield name was Sir Thomas Setchfield (1495-1568), a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for East Retford during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His coat of arms, depicting three golden wheatsheaves on a blue field, is a testament to the family's historical significance.
Another individual of note was Robert Setchfield (1592-1668), a renowned English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Milton Abbot in Devonshire. His published works, including "The Christian's Charge" and "The Touchstone of Grace," provided valuable insights into the religious discourse of the time.
In the 17th century, the Setchfield surname is found in the Parish Registers of St. Martin's in Birmingham, with the baptism of John Setchfield recorded in 1631. This entry suggests the gradual spread of the name beyond its Yorkshire origins.
The 18th century saw the birth of William Setchfield (1732-1806), a renowned architect and surveyor who contributed to the design and construction of several notable buildings in London, including the iconic Somerset House.
As the name Setchfield continued to spread across England, it also found its way into literary works. One such example is the novel "The Setchfield Mystery" by John Galt, published in 1838, which featured characters bearing the surname.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Setchfield
Among Census respondents with the surname Setchfield, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%.
The bar chart below shows how Setchfield bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Setchfield surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.4%
- Unknown or suppressed5.6%
FAQ
Setchfield surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Setchfield?
The surname Setchfield holds position #151,532 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Setchfield surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Setchfield, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.