Sowerby was in the great manor of Wakefield, which was thirty miles in length. The rolls of this manor exist from about the beginning of the fourteenth century. From the earlier part of them, to about 1650 the dehTelds, or Fields, are repeatedly mentioned. The first entry in 1306, is of a suit of Richard delffeld of Sowerly vs. Robert, son of William de Sattonstall. In 1307 Thomas delffeld of Sowerby was a juror, and in the following year Richard, son of Roger delffeld, held that same position. Sowerby was a " graveship " and different members of the family, at various times, held the office there of " prepositus," who was the chief official, as the name implies. It is highly probable that Adam delffeld settled at Sowerby, after selling his estate at Falenge. This is partly confirmed by the reappearance at Sowerby, shortly after, of this rather unusual Christian name. Adam delffeld is mentioned there- in 1333, and a little later there were two of the name, -- Adam, son of Richard delffeld in 1336, and Adam son of Thomas delffeld in 1349. In this last year an Adam delffeld was chosen "propositus." In 1350 there was an Adam, son of Thomas; and a Thomas, son of Adam.

Down to 1 410 the family name is always as above. From that date to 1450, it is sometimes with, and sometimes without the prefix, after which date, this last is finally dropped, and it is simply ffeld till 1570, or so, when the modern spelling came in and it is written ffield, or ffeild. The family has disappeared from Sowerby, but on their old estate, the name survives in " Field House," the residence of Col. Stansfeld, built about a century and a half since. Adjoining it is "old Field House," once the home of the family, and erected probably in the sixteenth century.