The Elderfield family is one of the oldest in the village with descendants living today; Elderfields are recorded in the church registers in the sixteenth century, and may be even older. They were known to have had great wealth. Christopher Elderfield left the Elderfield Charity. He was born in Harwell, and became vicar of Burton in Sussex. He left money for the poor of his native village in his will of 1652. In 1766 another Christopher Elderfield presented the church with the existing chandelier, and in 1837 another Elderfield charity became known.
Other old Harwell names with descendants still living are the Keats, wealthy yeoman farmers, who lived at Middle Farm and Abbey Timbers, and in later years kept the village grocery and baker’s shop; this family has recently moved to Didcot.
The Woodleys were farmers, with descendants still living in the village.
Others with descendants still living are: Maisie, King, Wise, Talbot, Tyrrell, Harris (stonemasons), Green, Slade, Dunsden, Dearlove, Jefferies (carriers), Hitchman (carpenters, undertakers), Blissett, Hoare, Day, Bosher, Pryor, Cox, Allen, Thorne and Lay.
J Elderfield says
Very interested in this I am a member of the Elderfield family of Stoke Poges part of the family originated in Harwell
Andrew Lay says
Have you got a Richard Elderfield in your family tree maybe in 1700 or there abouts
Jan Brown says
My 3 x great grandmother was Elizabeth Elderfield born in Harwell (1789 – 1877), daughter of William Elderfield and Sophia (nee Jobson).
Carolyn says
Dear Jan.
Dear Jan,
I think I may be a distant cousin!!
I’m descended from Elizabeth Elderfield & Richard Hill via their daughter Soohia (born 1814)..
I’m just getting sorted putting ny family history onto Ancestry….
Les V. E. Thompson says
I’m likely a cousin to you both! 🙂
I’m also an Elderfield (my grandfather was Leslie Ernst Elderfield, and I was given his name). According to my father Gordon (RIP), I am the last of the British-born Elderfields, although I do have two additional brothers who were born in the US. Due to issues with the US medical insurance system, I needed to be adopted by my stepfather so his insurance would cover me, so I’ve appended Thompson to my name, but I’ve always been an Elderfield in my own thoughts. I’m proud to be part of a family that’s been around for a thousand years!
Janet Caban nee Elderfield says
Hi Les, I was an Elderfield and I must inform you that you are by no means the last of the British born Elderfield’s my brother has a son and he has two sons so even in my family the name goes on. I think you will find there are still quite number of British born Elderfields who come from Berkshire.
Charles Harvell says
I now live in Colorado but was born in Virginia. My surname is Harvell, the spelling changed with my great grandfather, in he records before that it was Harwell. I was of the 11th generation of my line of Harwells born in Virginia, my son is the 12th, also born in Virginia. Most of the Harwells/Harvells, and various other spellings can trace their origins back to an area today often called Southside Virginia. Our research shows our origin in England to be in Harwell and to Master John de Harewell (also known as atte Hall, and de Aula) who married Margery Baillol. His son Roger de Harwell who relocated to Wooten Wawen.
Dan Nelson says
Hi Charles,
Do you know who the connecting ancestor was that started as a Harwell and then started going by Harvill?
Thanks,
Dan
Mandy says
My great-great Grandparents were married in Harwell, before leaving to come to Regina/Southey, Saskatchewan, Canada. They were Henry King and Ellen Blissett. Great site!!
Charles Harmer says
From Charles Harmer My great-great grandfather, Charles William HARMER was born at Harpsden about 8 miles from Harwell in 1829 and is buried in St Matthew, Harwell. His family was from Harwell going back to at least the early eighteenth century when his great-great grandfather Joseph HARMON (b.1707) was married and buried there. Charles William married Mary BLISSETT (see previous comment above) who was born at Harwell in about 1833.
Wendy Hillier says
Looking for Blissett family of my GGGrandmother Ellen Blissett King, that I may converse with.
Karen Steed says
I’m a descendant my great grandmother was a blissett from Harwell
Wendy Hillier says
Hello, my Great Grandmother was Ellen Blissett from Harrell. Married Edward King came to Canada.
Peter Jefferies says
My father Geoffrey Jefferies was born in 1910 the youngest of ten children.I’m not sure when the ‘White City houses were built but I have a
photograph of my father, about age nine, taken at the front door. During my early teenage years my father used to say” if it wasn’t for the
Jefferies and King families Harwell village would be empty”. I think the only remaining Jefferies living in the village is Celia Wilkes (nee Jefferies).
Spencer says
I’m Terry Jefferies son Spencer I live in Didcot so not too far away
Wendy Hillier says
My GGGrandfather was a King, from that area, his name was Edward King.
Louise says
Hi Wendy my six time great grandfather was Edward King junior born Harwell born 25 Jul 1754 died 24 Oct 1811. married 20 Apr 1775 Baydon Wiltshire Fanny Stroud .his father was also Edward King born 1722 died 22 Jun 1803 Harwell Mary Bennett 02 Jul 1753 Harwell.
Edward King and Fanny King nee Stroud they had six children one of them John Bennett King married to Catherine Goddard had a son also Edward King born 1824 wootton Berkshire died 13 Aug 1862 married to Anne broad hemming .
Hope this helps
Wendy Hillier says
Hi Louise, thanks for your reply, however my Edward married in Harrell at Ellen Blissetts church. My Edward came from Paddington Middlesex area.
Hayden Elderfield says
I believe Christopher is a son of William Elderfield b 1560 in Harwell. If my Elderfield Tree on Ancestry is right, William is my 9th Great Grandfather and Christopher my 9th Great Uncle.
David Moore says
My mother was a Blissett – her grandfather was John Blissett a blacksmith in Harwell – he lived from 1810 to 1895. If there are any Blissetts still living in Harwell I would love to hear from them – I am now in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.The Mary Blissett mentioned above was the youngest sister of the above John – who was my great-great-grandfather.
Wendy Hillier says
Hi David
I am related to the Blissetts, my GGrandmother was Ellen Blissett, her father was Henry Blissett, mother was Emily Powell Ellen married Edward Henry Blissett King. If you wish to converse, please feel free to email me. I would love to hear from anyone in Harwell, from the Blissett of King families.
Karen Steed says
My great grandmother was Annie blissett married Frederick mackerness
Pamela. Jones says
Is there anyone living in in Harwell today. That may be related to George and Elizabeth Elderfield they are my
Great grand parents and had 15 children Albert. Being my grandfather Would love to know if any one could
Tell me more of the family history or names of the other children. Thank you
Sarah Oleary says
My Mum is an Elderfield
Rosalie Penn says
My earliest Elderfield ancestor is Francis born Harwell BERKS 1637-1710. He was a yeoman of Harwell who married Elizabeth Moore in 1684. I am descended from his son William born 1691/2 who married Mary.. Their son Christopher 1716/17 – 1778 married Dinah Smith – Their daughter Martha Elderfield 1750-1834 married Thomas Preston in 1773.and moved from Harwell to Drayton Berks.
I am looking for details of Mary who married William Elderfield c1712. I have picked up the name of Woodley but would like proof. Are there any history books about the Elderfield family?
Ian Woodley says
I did a family tree for my dad before he died in 2013. Through Ancestry.co.uk I traced the Woodley family back to 1546 in Hagbourne & Harwell.
From what I know my direct ancestors left the village in the 1850s to move first to Heston in Middx and then Westminster where they lived near Strutton ground.
It would be great to learn more about the “Woodleys”
Bernard Harris says
I am trying to trace the relatives of Jack Harris who lived in Blenheim House in Harwell. My father was Fred Harris whi I believe when he was young I’ve with Jack. Thank you.
Mandy Vinup says
Interesting reading about Harwell, I am doing my Ancestry and finding so many of my family members still living around the same area. Even though I am now in GA, USA I was born and raised in Swindon. I have a Henry Elderfield circa 1540 (direct ancestor 14 generations) married to Catherine, maiden name unknown.
2. Willam circa 1560 married Margaret Gilman
3. Francis circa 1605 maed Jane Woodley
4. Richard circa 1640 married Joane (unknown)
5.William circa 1668 married Mary Hopkins
6.Elizabeth circa 1697 married John Maberley of Ashbury, their daughter married into the Cannons Family of Ashbury with my Great Grandmother Mary Kate born 1890, who is buried in Wanborough, married John Fowler, their daughter Hilda married Robert Jack, their daughter (my mother) became a Witts. I find it fascinating that all these centuries the various families have stayed in the Berkshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire & Gloucestershire area. Pease reach out if you have further details concerning the Eldefield’s