Show ContentsBuffey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 added many new elements to an already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Buffey family lived in Staffordshire, where they were lords of the manor Colton.

Early Origins of the Buffey family

The surname Buffey was first found in Staffordshire where they were Lords of the Manor of Colton from very ancient times. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086, a survey initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066, the village of Colton was held by Ascelin from tenant-in-chief Earl Roger. Conjecturally the Boughies are descended from this Norman noble. In similar speculations, some say there is a relationship between the early Bougheys and the great Lords Bohun, one of the signers of the Magna Carta and that the surname Boughey, Buffey, or Boffey was interchangeable with Bohun.

More recently, the parish of Forton in Staffordshire is home to a very distinguished branch of the this ancient family. "Aqualate Hall is a magnificent mansion, on the south side of a fine lake more than a mile in length, and half a mile in breadth, called Aqualate Meer; the house is surrounded by a spacious park and pleasure-grounds, adorned with plantations and some of the finest oak-trees in the county. This is the seat of Sir Thomas Fletcher Fenton Boughey, Bart., who is lord of the manor, and owner of nearly the whole parish." [1]

Early History of the Buffey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buffey research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1419, 1442, 1450, 1495 and 1590 are included under the topic Early Buffey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buffey Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Boughey, Buffie, Boffey, Buffey, Boughie, Boffie, Boghey and many more.

Early Notables of the Buffey family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Humphrey de Boghey of Staffordshire; and Geoffrey Bowhay of Bowhay (in the parish of Exminster, Devon.) His daughter, the heiress of his estates married Richard Denys (died 1442.) In 1417, Orleigh was occupied...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Buffey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Buffey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Buffey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Jeremiah Buffey, British Convict who was convicted in Montgomery, Powys, Wales for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [2]


The Buffey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nec quarere nec spernere honorem
Motto Translation: Neither to seek nor despise honor.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer


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