Show ContentsCoyfe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Coyfe is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who 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.

Early Origins of the Coyfe family

The surname Coyfe was first found in Oxfordshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Coyfe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coyfe research. Another 31 words (2 lines of text) covering the year 1273 is included under the topic Early Coyfe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coyfe 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 Coyfe 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 Coyfe include Coifer, Coifster, Coyfere and others.

Early Notables of the Coyfe family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Dionysia la Coyfere, a prominent landholder in 13th century Oxfordshire


United States Coyfe 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 Coyfe or a variant listed above:

Coyfe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Charles Coyfe, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Margaret of Bristol"


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