Safy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancient surname Safy came from the given name Savaric, an Old German name formed from the elements sav, with an uncertain meaning, and ric, which meant powerful. The name came to England with the Bretons who accompanied Duke William of Normandy when he invaded and conquered England in 1066. The Bretons came from Brittany, a French province located on a peninsula on the northwest coast of France. Formerly known as Armorica, a possession of the Roman Empire, this land consists of a plateau with a deeply indented coast and is broken by hills in the west. However, the region was renamed Britannia Minor by the Romans, following the emigration of six thousand Britons across the English Channel, an event which took place at the behest of the Roman Commander in Britain.

Early Origins of the Safy family

The surname Safy was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Safy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Safy research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1614, 1643, 1650, 1698 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Safy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Safy Spelling Variations

Since the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules, Breton surnames have many spelling variations. Latin and French, which were the official court languages, were also influential on the spelling of surnames. The spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. Therefore, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England after the Norman Conquest, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. The name has been spelled Savory, Savery, Savary and others.

Early Notables of the Safy family

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

Migration of the Safy family

Early immigration records have shown some of the first of the name Safy to arrive on North American shores were: Anthony Savery, who came to Plymouth Massachusetts in 1630; Mary Savery and her husband settled in Maryland in 1684; Thomas Savery settled in Plymouth in 1633.

The Safy 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: Aut vita libera aut mois gloriosa
Motto Translation: A life of freedom, or a death of glory.