Contents [hide]

Telfer History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Telfer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Early Origins of the Telfer family

The surname Telfer was first found in Huntingdon, where they were descended from Taillefer of Normandy, jester to King William, Duke of Normandy, who asked the Duke for a favor at Hastings. Telfer put his horse to the gallop charging before all the rest to the amazement of the English soldiers. "A name of great antiquity. The exploits of the noble jouglere Taillefer at the battle of Hastings are well-known. William, Count of Angoulesme, in a battle against the Northmen engaged their king Storis, and with one stroke of his sword Durissima, forged by the great Wayland Smith, cut in two his body and cuirass. Hence he acquired the sobriquet of Taillefer, or 'cut iron.' " 1 He was granted lands in Huntingdon, but was invited by David, Earl of Huntingdon, later to be King of Scotland, to attend him in Scotland and was granted lands in Lanarkshire.

Early History of the Telfer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Telfer research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1500, 1643, 1683 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Telfer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Telfer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Telfer, Talfer, Telford, Telpher, Talifero, Tailyefer, Telfair and many more.

Early Notables of the Telfer family

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

Migration of the Telfer family to Ireland

Some of the Telfer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Telfer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Telfer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Telfer, who settled in Philadelphia in 1856
Thomas Telfer, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1893
William Telfer, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1893

Telfer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Grace Telfer, aged 59, who settled in America from Glasgow, in 1905
Elizabeth Telfer, aged 50, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, in 1906
Catherine Telfer, aged 65, who settled in America from Ayr, Scotland, in 1907
James Telfer, aged 70, who immigrated to America from Ayr, Scotland, in 1907
Jean Telfer, aged 17, who landed in America from Ayr, Scotland, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Telfer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Telfer Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Alexander Telfer, aged 72, who settled in Canada, in 1905
Frank Hartley Telfer, aged 33, who immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1911
Henry Telfer, aged 58, who immigrated to Westmount, Canada, in 1913
Agnes Telfer, aged 54, who settled in Westmount, Canada, in 1913
Thomas Telfer, aged 27, who settled in Toronto, Canada, in 1916
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Telfer migration to Australia +

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

Telfer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

James Telfer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 2
Elizabeth Telfer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 2
Esther Telfer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 2
Francis Telfer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 2
Jean Telfer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Telfer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Telfer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. David Telfer, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 3
Mrs. Telfer, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 3
Child Telfer, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 3
Miss Isabella Telfer, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 4
Mr. Robert Telfer, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Telfer (post 1700) +

W. G. Telfer, American politician, Member of Minnesota State House of Representatives 15th District, 1871
Laureston O. Telfer (b. 1893), American Republican politician, Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; Lawyer; St. Clair County Circuit Court Commissioner, 1922-30; St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney, 1930-34; Circuit Judge in Michigan 31st Circuit, 1939-40
Robert Sutherland Telfer (b. 1977), American actor
Robbie Q Telfer, American poet
James Telfer (1800-1862), Scottish minor poet, born in the parish of Southdean, Roxburghshire, son of a shepherd
Robert "Bob" Telfer, Scottish footballer, referee, coach and administrator
Garry Telfer (b. 1965), Scottish professional association footballer from Dumfries, South West Scotland
Colin McLeod Telfer (b. 1947), Scottish rugby union player
Willie Telfer (b. 1925), Scottish former football player and manager
James "Jim" Telfer (b. 1940), Scottish rugby coach
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PRINCE GEORGE 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838PrinceGeorge-London.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html