Trafor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

The Trafor family name comes from the name of either of the Welsh settlements called Trevor in Denbigh and Anglesey. As such, the surname Trafor belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Trafor family

The surname Trafor was first found in Herefordshire, where Tudor Trevor was Lord of Hereford, Wittington, and both Maelors, founder of the Tribe of the Marches. He was son of Ynyr Ap Cadforch, Lord of both Maelors in Powys, a Baron of Powys.

Trevor Hall is a large grade mansion standing in 85 acres (35 hectares) of parkland at Trevor, near Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales. The estate has been in the family since medieval times and was at one time the home of Bishop John Trevor (died 1357.)

There was always a close relationship with people of Wales and Cornwall; so it is not surprising to find an early reference to the family there. "The manor of Trevear [in the parish of Gorran] was formerly the property, and the mansion the residence of a family of this name. Tonkin says, that the mansion of Sir Henry Trevear was standing so late as the year 1736. From this family it passed to the Scawens, and it is now the property of Thomas Graham, Esq." 1

Early History of the Trafor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trafor research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1346, 1357, 1410, 1563, 1596, 1618, 1620, 1626, 1630, 1637, 1641, 1642, 1644, 1658, 1669, 1670, 1672, 1673, 1693, 1695, 1706, 1717, 1730 and 1851 are included under the topic Early Trafor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trafor 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. 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 Trafor name over the years has been spelled Trevor, Trefor and others.

Early Notables of the Trafor family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was John Trevor (died 1357), Bishop of St Asaph in North Wales, (1346 to 1357); John Trevor (died 1410), or John Trevaur, Bishop of St. Asaph in Wales and later became nominal Bishop of St Andrews in Scotland; Sir John Trevor (1563-1630), MP and Surveyor of the Queen's Ships; Sir John Trevor (1596-1673), his son, MP from 1620, member of the Council of State during the Protectorate...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trafor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Trafor family to Ireland

Some of the Trafor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 132 words (9 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 Trafor family

The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Trafor: Samuel Trevor, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1795; followed by Caleb in 1798; William Trevore settled in Massachusetts in 1620; Thomas Trevors settled in Maryland in 1766..

Citations +

Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print