Caff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Caff is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Caff was a name used for a bald headed man. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the French expression le chauve, which means "the bald one."

Early Origins of the Caff family

The surname Caff was first found in Dorset where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Caff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caff research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Caff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caff Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Caff include Chafy, Chafe, Chafee, Chafey, Chaff, Chaffe, Chaffee and many more.

Early Notables of the Caff family

More information is included under the topic Early Caff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Caff family to Ireland

Some of the Caff family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Caff family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Caff were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Chaffee who settled in Hingham Massachusetts in 1637 and moved to Swansea by 1660; Matthew Chaffee settled in Boston in 1630; James Chaffey settled in New England in 1762.