Buffy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Buffy family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Staffordshire, where they were lords of the manor Colton.

Early Origins of the Buffy family

The surname Buffy 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 Buffy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buffy research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1419, 1442, 1450, 1495 and 1590 are included under the topic Early Buffy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buffy Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Buffy were recorded, including Boughey, Buffie, Boffey, Buffey, Boughie, Boffie, Boghey and many more.

Early Notables of the Buffy family

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 Buffy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buffy migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Buffy arrived in North America very early:

Buffy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jean Buffy, who landed in Louisiana in 1718-1724 2

Buffy migration to Australia +

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

Buffy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Sarah Buffy, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Lismoyne"

The Buffy 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: Nec quarere nec spernere honorem
Motto Translation: Neither to seek nor despise honor.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)