Calfin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Calfin

What does the name Calfin mean?

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Calfin came from the baptismal name Calvin. This surname contains roots in both French and English origin. In some cases, this surname was also used as a nickname to mean someone who is bald.

Early Origins of the Calfin family

The surname Calfin was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Calfin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Calfin research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1040, 1066 and 1086 are included under the topic Early Calfin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Calfin Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Calfin family name include Colvin, Colvinne, Calvin and others.

Early Notables of the Calfin family

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

Migration of the Calfin family to Ireland

Some of the Calfin 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 Calfin family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Calfin surname or a spelling variation of the name include: William Colvin who settled in Maryland in 1714; Hugh Colvin settled in Pennsylvania in 1773; followed by Charles, James, Jane, John, Robert and William Colvin, all settled in Pennsylvania between 1811 and 1856.

The Calfin 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: In hoc signo vinces
Motto Translation: Under this sign thou shall conquer.