The Welsh name Kyffant comes from a place name. Some instances derive from the hamlet of Cyffin, in the county of Montgomery, while others come from the parish of Gyffin, in the county of Carnarvon. The Welsh word "cyffin" means "limit" or "confine."
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Early Origins of the Kyffant family
The surname Kyffant was first found in Montgomeryshire (Welsh: Sir Drefaldwyn), located in mid-Eastern Wales, one of thirteen historic counties, and anciently the medieval kingdom of Powys Wenwynwyn, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
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Early History of the Kyffant family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kyffant research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1599, 1616 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Kyffant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Kyffant Spelling Variations
Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. The most obvious reason was the challenge of translating from Welsh into English. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Kyffant name over the years has been spelled Kyffin, Kiffin, Cuffin, Cyffin and others.
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Early Notables of the Kyffant family
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kyffant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Kyffant family
Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Kyffant: David Kiffin settled in Virginia in 1635.
Wales
