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![Show Contents]() Buffay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Buffay came to England with the ancestors of the Buffay family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Buffay family lived in Staffordshire, where they were lords of the manor Colton. Early Origins of the Buffay familyThe surname Buffay 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 Early History of the Buffay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buffay research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1419, 1442, 1450, 1495 and 1590 are included under the topic Early Buffay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Buffay Spelling VariationsMultitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Boughey, Buffie, Boffey, Buffey, Boughie, Boffie, Boghey and many more. Early Notables of the Buffay familyOutstanding 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 Buffay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Buffay familyBecause of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Buffay or a variant listed above: James Boffey who landed in North America in 1764.
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: Nec quarere nec spernere honorem
Motto Translation: Neither to seek nor despise honor.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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