Britiffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Britiffe

What does the name Britiffe mean?

The name Britiffe is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the baptismal given name the Brighteve. The Brighteves lived for several centuries in the county of Norfolk at the as the villages of Brightey and Brighty. It is thought the name came from the Old English word Beorhtgifu meaning "fair gift."

Brightiff is from the metathesized form Brihtgifu, a woman's name still in use in the 13th century. 1

Early Origins of the Britiffe family

The surname Britiffe was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the singular names Bricteva and Britheue were recorded. 2 Later, Godric Brihteve filius was recorded at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk c. 1095 and the name Birghiva was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Hertfordshire in 1208. Angerus filius Brihtiue was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1219 and Adam Brightyeue and Thomas Brytheue were both listed in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk 1326, 1327. 1 Edmund Brightyeve or Britiff was listed in Norfolk in 1467 3.

John Beriffe was listed as holding lands in Essex in 1496 and later, Richard Brygthewe, Brighteve was listed in Norfolk in 1479, 1508. 1

Back in Norfolk, we found John Brightif listed there in 1559. 3

Early History of the Britiffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Britiffe research. Another 550 words (39 lines of text) covering the years 1095, 1219, 1327, 1349, 1369, 1377, 1467, 1497, 1550, 1559, 1660, 1665, 1666, 1671, 1681, 1702, 1705, 1715, 1716, 1726, 1733, 1734, 1737, 1741, 1743, 1749, 1758, 1770 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Britiffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Britiffe Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Britiffe has been spelled many different ways, including Brighteve, Brihteue, Brihtieu, Brightyeue, Brytheue, Brightyeve, Britiff, Brightif, Britiffe and many more.

Early Notables of the Britiffe family

Robert Brightiffe or Britiffe (c. 1666-1749), of Baconsthorpe, Norfolk, was an English lawyer and Whig politician. He sat in the House of Commons from 1715 to 1734 and served as recorder of Norwich in...

Migration of the Britiffe family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Britiffes to arrive in North America: a number of settlers who arrived by the 19th century.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)