Edward Armfield was born Edgar Armfield Smith on 27 February, 1857 at Wandsworth, London. He was the son of the animal artist George Armfield (1810-1893) and his second wife Sarah Youens (nee Smith). His grandfather was the artist William Armfield Hobday (1771-1831). His father adopted the name of George Armfield Smith and later went by George Armfield perhaps in an attempt to differentiate himself from his father or distance himself from his family's bankruptcy. Edward followed suit using the names of Edgar Armfield Smith, Edwin George Armfield and Edward Armfield. Much confusion has arisen over Edward’s dates as a consequence of his father’s adopted names. It is highly likely Edward would have been tutored by his father and probably assisted in his studio, as their styles and subject matter are very similar.

Armfield married Harriet Ethel Obbard on 6 April, 1874 at All Souls Church in Southwark. By the time of his marriage he had established himself as a full time artist. The couple lived at 1 Acacia Villas, Heber Road in Camberwell. By 1891, they had moved to 53 Kent House Road, Sydenham with their family of 10 children. He was a prolific and popular artist and like his father, specialised in paintings of sporting dogs, usually terriers ratting. Armfield continued to paint and later moved to 41 Kent House Road where he spent the rest of his life. He died at Lewisham Hospital on 7 Jun, 1935.

A number of his works can be found in museums and art galleries including the Brighton Museum, Leamington Spa Art Gallery, The Whitaker and the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.