The Anglo-Saxon name Coyf comes from when its first bearer worked as a maker of knitted caps or cowls. A male involved in this occupation was called a coifer, while a female involved in this trade was called a coifster; the latter case displays the distinctive Anglo-Saxon female occupational suffix -ster.
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Early Origins of the Coyf family
The surname Coyf was first found in Oxfordshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
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Early History of the Coyf family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coyf research. Another 31 words (2 lines of text) covering the year 1273 is included under the topic Early Coyf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Coyf Spelling Variations
Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Coyf include Coifer, Coifster, Coyfere and others.
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Early Notables of the Coyf family
Distinguished members of the family include
Dionysia la Coyfere, a prominent landholder in 13th century Oxfordshire
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Migration of the Coyf family
Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Coyf or a variant listed above: Charles Coyfe, who arrived in Virginia in 1619; Thomas Quaife, who settled in New York, NY in 1823; Harriot Quaife, who came to New York, NY in 1823; Eliza Quaife, who came to New York, NY in 1823.
England
