Hafay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Hafay

What does the name Hafay mean?

In ancient Scotland, the first people to use the name Hafay were part of a tribe known as the Strathclyde Britons. The name is derived from the Gaelic personal name Debshithe, which means the black man of peace.

Early Origins of the Hafay family

The surname Hafay was first found in Wigtown (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, where they held a family seat from very early times. This distinguished Clan was originally known as the Clan MacKilhaffy and held a family seat at Craig Caffe in the parish of Inch.

Early History of the Hafay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hafay research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1320 and 1540 are included under the topic Early Hafay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hafay Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Hafay has appeared as Mahaffy, Mehaffy, MacHaffie, Mahaffie, McHaffie, MacHaffy, McHaffy, MacGilhaffie, McGilhaffie, MacGilhaffy, McGilhaffy, MacKilhaffy, McKilhaffy, MacKilhaffie, McKilhaffie, MacIlhaffie, McIlhaffie, MacIlhaffy, McIlhaffy, MacCaffee, McCaffee, MacCaffie, McCaffie, McCaffy, MacCaffy, Milhaffie, Milhaffy, Mahalfie, Mahalfy and many more.

Early Notables of the Hafay family

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

Migration of the Hafay family to Ireland

Some of the Hafay 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 Hafay family

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, Clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: Martin and Martha Mahaffy and their daughter Mary who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767; Mary Mahaffy arrived in New York state in 1847.