Surname Norfleet - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing the Norfleet Roots: A Personal Journey Through iGENEA DNA Test
In a quest to explore their heritage, the author shares the enlightening experience with the iGENEA DNA test, revealing insights about their surname, Norfleet, and connecting with individuals who share the same name across the globe.
Z. Norfleet
read moreNorfleet: What does the surname Norfleet mean?
The surname Norfleet is of English origin, derived from an old locational name. It is believed to have stemmed from the Old Norse 'norð' and Old English 'flēot', which translates to 'north' and 'stream' respectively. Therefore, in essence, it refers to a stream in the north or someone who lived near a northern stream. Thus, Norfleet is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, and church. This type of surname was commonly developed as people moved from rural countryside areas to cities and towns, as an easy way to identify themselves. The name guests an ancient lineage dating back to early medieval England. It's also prevalent in the United States, primarily in the Southern region, possibly carried by English immigrants and settlers who moved in pre-colonial and colonial times.
Order DNA origin analysisNorfleet: Where does the name Norfleet come from?
Norfleet is an uncommon last name today, and most of its bearers are scattered across the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, Norfleet is most prevalent in the South, particularly in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
History suggests that the Norfleet surname originated as a toponymic name, with various villages and farms named Norfleet in England. The name was likely brought over to the United States by early settlers, and it is possible that many of the early bearers of the name were of English descent.
Today, the Norfleet surname remains largely concentrated in the South. In 2020, census data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that the number of people with the last name Norfleet ranged from approximately 940 to 3,100, depending on the state. Mississippi had the highest number of Norfleet residents, with 2,706, followed by Alabama (737), Georgia (544), Tennessee (362), and Arkansas (368).
Although the Norfleet surname is not very common, it is still spoken of fondly today. Today's Norfleet families revere the name and its long history and pass it on through the generations.
Variations of the surname Norfleet
The surname Norfleet has various spellings and variants, including Noefleet, Nofleit, Norflet, Norflett, Norfelt, Northfleit, Norflete, Norflett, Norflete, Norflite, and Norefleet. It is likely that these different spellings are derived from the same surname, Norfleet.
The surname Norfleet is believed to be of English origin, but its meaning is not certain. The first references to the Norfleet name that can be found date back to the 13th century when it appeared in several English court documents. It is believed that the name is derived from Old English words, though the precise origin is unknown.
The spelling 'Norfleet' is believed to have originated in the North of England. Many of the variants of the Norfleet surname are found in the Midlands and the North West of England. At the time of the 1881 Census, Norfleet was most commonly found in Derbyshire, followed by Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Cornwall.
The Norfleet surname is believed to have descended from a Norman knight who held property near Tamworth. It is also believed to have been derived from inhabitants of Norflete, a village near the county of Nottingham. The name Norfleet could also be derived from people living near a crossing of the River Nene, a tributary of the River Ouse.
Today, Norfleet is still quite common, especially in the United States where the spelling remains mostly unchanged. In England, the name is much less common now, though variants such as Norflett, Norfelt, Northfleit, Norefleet, and Norflete can still be found.
Famous people with the name Norfleet
- Samuel Norfleet Jr., American pro basketball player
- Jasun Norfleet, former professional basketball player
- Jhonta Norfleet, American footballer
- Laverne Norfleet, fourth African-American woman to be ordained in the Reformed Presbyterian Church
- Wil Norfleet, former basketball player in the National Basketball Association
- David Norfleet, U.S. Navy Veteran and basketball player
- Cheryl Norfleet, American professional basketball player
- Alonzo Norfleet, Jr., American football player
- Rico Norfleet, gospel musician
- Louise Norfleet, former American federal government employee and community advocate