Reffitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Early Origins of the Reffitt family

Early History of the Reffitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reffitt research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1090 is included under the topic Early Reffitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reffitt Spelling Variations

Numerous spelling variations of the surname Reffitt exist. A partial explanation for these variants is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. Different spellings that were found include Rafferty, O'Rafferty, Raferty, Raffhery, Raffthery, Raftery, Raverty, Roarty and many more.

Early Notables of the Reffitt family

More information is included under the topic Early Reffitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Reffitt family

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish migrating out of their homeland in a great measure due to the oppressive imperial policies of the English government and landowners. Many of these Irish families sailed to North America aboard overcrowded passenger ships. By far, the largest influx of Irish immigrants to North America occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These particular immigrants were instrumental in creation of the United States and Canada as major industrial nations because the many essential elements such as the roadways, canals, bridges, and railways required an enormous quantity of cheap labor, which these poor immigrants provided. Later generations of Irish in these countries also went on to make valuable contributions in such fields as the arts, commerce, politics, and education. Extensive research into immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Reffitt: Michael and Mary Raferty who settled in Passmaquodie Maine in 1823; Anne, Bridge, Catherin, Ellen, John, Mary, Owen, Pat, Thomas Rafferty all settled in Quebec in 1849.