| ![Show Contents]() Trefry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the English Channel to the south borders Cornwall, the homeland to the Trefry family name. Even though the usage of surnames was common during the Middle Ages, all English people were known only by a single name in early times. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Trefry family originally lived in Cornwall at the manor of Treffry. Early Origins of the Trefry familyThe surname Trefry was first found in Cornwall where "this name is derived from the manor of Treffry, in the parish of Lanhydrock, where it is traced to a very early period. " 1 The first on record was Roger Treffry about the year 1200 and 11th in descent from him in the main line was John Treffry, living in 1620. Thomas Treffry of Lanhydrock, is said to have been grandfather or great grandfather to Sir John Treffry, who distinguished himself so bravely at the Battle of Cressy. According to the family documents, he was made knight banneret on the occasion. From that period to the present time, Place House in the parish of Fowey in Cornwall has been the residence of their representatives and descendants. "Thomas Treffry builded a right fair and stronge embatelid towr in his house : and embateling al the waulles of the house in a manner made it a castelle; and unto this day it is the glorie of the town building in Faweye." 2 This continued to be the residence of the Treffrys for many generations. Sir John Treffry was attainted by Richard III. ; but by his successful competitor for the crown, his estates were again restored. Thomas Treffry, who died in 1568, and for whom there is a memorial in Fowey church, was one of the county members in the reign of Mary. The Treffry estates continued in this family and name until the year 1658; when John Treffry, Esq. bequeathed his property to his cousin Thomas Treffry, of Rooke in St. Kew. Records also show that the manor of Tregwide, or Tregoyde, which belonged to the ancient family of Treffry, is at present in a divided state. 2 Early History of the Trefry familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trefry research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1490, 1529, 1545, 1554, 1564, 1577, 1594, 1621, 1643, 1658 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Trefry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Trefry Spelling VariationsCornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Treffry, Treffrey, Treffray, Trefrey, Trefry, Trefray, Trefary, Trevry, Trevrey and many more. Early Notables of the Trefry familyNotable amongst the family at this time was Sir John Treffry (1594-1658), Member of Parliament for Fowey (1621-22); Thomas Treffry (c.1490-1564), English Member of Parliament for Bodmin (1529) and Cornwall (1554); and Thomas Treffry (fl. 1545), English...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trefry Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Trefry migration to the United States | + |
The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Trefry:
Trefry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Clarence Trefry, aged 59, originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Vestris" from Buenos Aires, Argentina 3
- Amy Trefry, aged 27, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Plattsburg" from Liverpool, England 3
- Edward Trefry, aged 30, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Daniel M. Munro" from Windsor, Nova Scotia,Canada 3
| Trefry migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Trefry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mr. George Trefry, (b. 1860), aged 17, Cornish stone mason travelling aboard the ship "Dunbar Castle" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 18th October 1877 4
| Contemporary Notables of the name Trefry (post 1700) | + |
- Richard Greenleaf Trefry (1924-2023), American lieutenant general in the United States Army, Inspector General of the Army
- Captain Rufus P. Trefry, British captain of the barque Templar who in February 1878, rescued the crew of the Celestial Empire
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Trefry migration to the United States 
Trefry migration to Australia 
