Coffey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The name Coffey originally descend from Cobthach Fionn, a quo Ó Cobhthaigh, where "cobthach" means "victorious" and "fionn" means "fair," combined to mean "the fairhaired victor." 1

Early Origins of the Coffey family

The surname Coffey was first found in County Cork, Roscommon and Meath, where the claim descent from the Irish monarch, Luy Mac Con, from the line of Ithe Kings, ancestor of Cobthach Fion, who in turn was the ancestor of the name Coffey or Caughey (both pronounced the same way). The O'Coffeys of Corcaloidhe are kin of the O'Driscolls, and are still common in southwest County Cork today.

Early History of the Coffey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coffey research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1580, 1700, 1729, 1745, 1857 and 1916 are included under the topic Early Coffey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coffey Spelling Variations

Many different spelling variations of the surname Coffey exist in the archives researched. Ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. Different spellings that were found include Coffey, Caughey, Coffie, Coughey, Cauffey, Cauffy, Cauffie, Coffy, Coughay, Coffay, Coffeye and many more.

Early Notables of the Coffey family

Notable among the family name at this time was

Coffey World Ranking

In the United States, the name Coffey is the 850th most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 2 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Coffey is ranked the 560th most popular surname with an estimated 81 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Coffey is the 774th popular surname with an estimated 5,047 people with that name. 4


Coffey migration to the United States +

During the middle of the 19th century, Irish families often experienced extreme poverty and racial discrimination in their own homeland under English rule. Record numbers died of disease and starvation, and many others, deciding against such a fate, boarded ships bound for North America. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Unfortunately, many of those Irish that arrived in Canada or the United States still experienced economic and racial discrimination. Although often maligned, these Irish people were essential to the rapid development of these countries because they provided the cheap labor required for the many canals, roads, railways, and other projects required for strong national infrastructures. Eventually the Irish went on to make contributions in the less backbreaking and more intellectual arenas of commerce, education, and the arts. Research early immigration and passenger lists revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Coffey:

Coffey Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Coffey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Coffey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Coffey migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Coffey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Coffey Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Coffey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Coffey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Coffey migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Coffey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Coffey (post 1700) +


The Coffey Motto +

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: Non providentia sed victoria
Motto Translation: No victory without foresight


Suggested Readings for the name Coffey +
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