Noftil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Noftil is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Noftil family lived in Guernsey. Their name, however, is a reference to the Bailiwick of Neufchatel-en-Dary, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Noftil family

The surname Noftil was first found in Guernsey where they held a family seat from very early times and acquired the lands of Noftall. They were originally from Fief of Bully, held by Robert Mellevilla in the Bailiwick of Neufchatel-en-Dary in Normandy. In 1184 Engueran (Ingram) de Moncellis held Neufchatel according to the Norman Exchequer Rolls of 1184. They were conjecturally descended from Neufchatel. This family also held the lands of Nun Coton in Lincolnshire.

Early History of the Noftil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Noftil research. Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Noftil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Noftil Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Noftil family name include Noftall, Noftle, Naftel, Nofty, Noftal and many more.

Early Notables of the Noftil family

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

Migration of the Noftil family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Noftil family to immigrate North America: Peter Nofty who settled in Broad Cove, Newfoundland, in 1783; Thomas Naftel, who arrived in Norfolk, VA in 1806; Daniel Naftel, who settled in Ohio in 1807.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)