Hawfields is an unincorporated community in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. Hawfields was first populated by Ulster Irish and Western African immigrants as early as the 17th century but a firm establishment was not achieved until 1740-1750 and was originally called "Haw Old Fields" by the settlers because of the Haw River which runs partially through Hawfields and neighboring Mebane. Haw River itself is named for the Sissipihaw Indians who settled in the entire county of Alamance which is named for a Sissipihaw word for the blue mud in the riverbed.