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![Show Contents]() Boffee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Boffee was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Boffee family lived in Staffordshire, where they were lords of the manor Colton. Early Origins of the Boffee familyThe surname Boffee 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 Boffee familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boffee research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1419, 1442, 1450, 1495 and 1590 are included under the topic Early Boffee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Boffee Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Boughey, Buffie, Boffey, Buffey, Boughie, Boffie, Boghey and many more. Early Notables of the Boffee familyOutstanding 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 Boffee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Boffee familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Boffee or a variant listed above: James Boffey who landed in North America in 1764.
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.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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