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![Show Contents]() Duffitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestry of the name Duffitt dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in either of the towns named Duffield in Derbyshire and in North Yorkshire. The surname Duffitt belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Early Origins of the Duffitt familyThe surname Duffitt was first found in North Yorkshire at either North or South Duffield, villages and civil parishes in the Selby District. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Dufeld. Alternatively, the name could have originated from Duffield, a village, beside the River Derwent, at its junction with the River Ecclesbourne in Derbyshire. This locale also dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Duvelle, but by the 12th century, the locale was known as Duffeld. The place name literally means "open land frequented by doves." 1 "In Domesday Book it is called Dunelle, and is described as having 'a church, a priest, and two mills;' it afterwards formed part of the demesne of Henry de Ferrers, who, in 1096, possessed a castle on an eminence north-west of the village, the site of which is now named Castle-Orchard." 2 Early History of the Duffitt familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Duffitt research. Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1273, 1379, 1383 and 1678 are included under the topic Early Duffitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Duffitt Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Duffitt have been found, including Duffield, Duffeld, Duffell, Duffill, Duffitt and others. Early Notables of the Duffitt familyAnother 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Duffitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Duffitt family to Ireland
Some of the Duffitt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Duffitt familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Duffitt, or a variant listed above: John Duffield, a boy of 14, who landed in Virginia in 1622. Benjamin Duffield made New Jersey his home in 1678. Over the next hundred years, the Duffield name was to be found in Philadelphia and other major eastern seaboard cities..
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: Semper fidelis
Motto Translation: Always faithful.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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England
Ireland
