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Boffey is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Boffey family lived in Staffordshire, where they were lords of the manor Colton.
The surname Boffey was first found in Staffordshire where they were Lords of the Manor of Colton from very ancient times. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086, a survey initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066, the village of Colton was held by Ascelin from tenant-in-chief Earl Roger. Conjecturally the Boughies are descended from this Norman noble. In similar speculations, some say there is a relationship between the early Bougheys and the great Lords Bohun, one of the signers of the Magna Carta and that the surname Boughey, Buffey, or Boffey was interchangeable with Bohun.
More recently, the parish of Forton in Staffordshire is home to a very distinguished branch of the this ancient family. "Aqualate Hall is a magnificent mansion, on the south side of a fine lake more than a mile in length, and half a mile in breadth, called Aqualate Meer; the house is surrounded by a spacious park and pleasure-grounds, adorned with plantations and some of the finest oak-trees in the county. This is the seat of Sir Thomas Fletcher Fenton Boughey, Bart., who is lord of the manor, and owner of nearly the whole parish." 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boffey research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1419, 1442, 1450, 1495 and 1590 are included under the topic Early Boffey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Boffey has been recorded under many different variations, including Boughey, Buffie, Boffey, Buffey, Boughie, Boffie, Boghey and many more.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Humphrey de Boghey of Staffordshire; and Geoffrey Bowhay of Bowhay (in the parish of Exminster, Devon.) His daughter, the heiress of his estates married Richard Denys (died 1442.) In 1417, Orleigh was occupied...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boffey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Boffeys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: