Contents [hide]

Claffey History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Claffey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Claffey surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from the baptismal name for the son of John. The given name John was originally derived from the Dutch Hans or Han. 1

Alternatively, the name coule be "a nickname or sign-name [Old English hand, a hand]." 2

And another source notes it is an "ancient personal name. Hand and Hande are, however, surnames without prefix in Hundredorum Rolls. Mr. Ferguson says: "Walking through Handsworth in Staffordshire, and seeing the name of Hand upon the shops, I said to myself, ' Handsworth is the north or estate of a man called Hand, and these may be descendants of that man.'" 3

Early Origins of the Claffey family

The surname Claffey was first found in Cheshire where the name first appeared as a forename in the Assize Rolls of 1288, Honde Cottrell. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 included Richard Hand in Bedfordshire and later Robert Hind was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Walter Handes was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 4

In Yorkshire, The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls had a wide variety of entries: Hanse et uxor ejus; Matilda Han-wyfe; Thomas Hand; and Laurence Hande. 1

Early History of the Claffey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Claffey research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1521, 1588, 1594 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Claffey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Claffey Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Claffey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Claffey include: Hand, Hands and others.

Early Notables of the Claffey family

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

Migration of the Claffey family to Ireland

Some of the Claffey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Claffey migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Claffey or a variant listed above:

Claffey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John and Thomas Claffey were naturalized in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1840
Thomas Claffey, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1840 5
John Claffey, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1840 5
Peter Claffey, who landed in New York in 1841 5
John Claffey in Pennsylvania in 1855
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Claffey migration to Australia +

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

Claffey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bernard Claffey a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 6
James Claffey, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Royal Albert"

Claffey 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:

Claffey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Claffey, (b. 1828), aged 46, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 7
Mrs. Catherine Claffey, (b. 1832), aged 42, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 7
Miss Catherine Claffey, (b. 1854), aged 20, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 7
Mr. Patrick Claffey, (b. 1856), aged 18, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 7
Mr. Thomas Claffey, (b. 1857), aged 17, Irish settler from County Offaly travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Claffey (post 1700) +

Kevin P. Claffey, American publisher researcher at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
Jessica Dalton Claffey, American production manager, known for Breadwinners, Slacker Cats and Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling (2019)
Tom Claffey, American cinematographer and editor, known for A Straight White Man (2016), 20/20 with Cats (2017) and Enemies of Dorothy (2017)
Ryan Claffey, American award winning writer and director, known for his work on Sacrifice (2013), London Stories (2012) and Robin Hood (2010)
Ray Claffey, American director, known for The Simpsons Movie (2007), Futurama (1999-2011), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990-1991)
Oliver Westfield Claffey (b. 1990), better known by the ring name Jack Gallagher and "Gentleman" Jack Gallagher, an English professional wrestler and mixed martial artist
Daniel Claffey (1869-1924), New Zealand cricketer who played two first-class matches for Otago between 1888 and 1890
Niall Claffey (b. 1978), Irish hurler from Birr, County Offaly (1999-2006)
Una Claffey (b. 1947), Irish journalist, political correspondent, writer and political adviser to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2000
Vinny Claffey, retired Irish hurler from Doon, County Offaly

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Navarino.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html