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![Show Contents]() Toffan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Toffan arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Toffan family lived in Sussex having derived from the Old English words toft, meaning cluster of trees or bushes, and tun, meaning enclosure or settlement. Early Origins of the Toffan familyThe surname Toffan was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The name was originally De Toketon and the first of the name is recorded as Elphgege de Toketon about the year 1160. Sir Lewis de Tufton was a Commander of the Army at Cresci. The family moved from Sussex to Kent and acquired lands in Rainham which was known as Tuftons. "The church [of Hothfield, Kent] is an ancient edifice, containing some old and costly monuments to the Tufton family." 1 Early History of the Toffan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Toffan research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1584, 1608, 1622, 1626, 1628, 1631, 1638, 1640, 1644, 1648, 1659, 1664, 1679, 1680, 1684, 1688, 1729, 1753, 1849 and 1900 are included under the topic Early Toffan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Toffan Spelling VariationsA multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Tufton, Toughton, Tuffton, Tofton and others. Early Notables of the Toffan familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Nicholas Tufton, 1st Earl of Thanet (1578-1631) was an English peer who owned Bodiam Castle; Sir Humfrey Tufton, 1st Baronet (1584-1659), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Maidstone (1640-1648); John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet (1608-1664), an English nobleman and supporter of Charles I of England; Nicholas Tufton, 3rd Earl of Thanet (1631-1679), styled Lord Tufton until 1664, an English nobleman, High Sheriff of Westmorland...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Toffan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Toffan familyMany English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Toffan or a variant listed above: Richard Tuftin who settled in Nevis in 1660; Symon Tufton landed in North America in 1659.
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: Ales volat propriis
Motto Translation: The bird flies to its kind.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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