Jaffnie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Jaffnie

What does the name Jaffnie mean?

The Irish name Jaffnie has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Jaffnie is "Ó Gamhna." However, the name was also used as an Anglicized form by the septs of Ó Caibheanaigh, Mac Conghamhna, and Mac Carrghamhna.1

Early Origins of the Jaffnie family

The surname Jaffnie was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Jaffnie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jaffnie research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1270 are included under the topic Early Jaffnie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jaffnie Spelling Variations

Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Jaffnie revealed many variations, including Gaffney, Gafney, Gaffeney, Gaffeny, Gafferny, Gaffin, Gaffnay, Gaffny, Caulfields, Keveneys and many more.

Early Notables of the Jaffnie family

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

Migration of the Jaffnie family

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Jaffnie: Patrick Gaffanay who arrived in Philadelphia in 1860; Bernard, Christopher, James, Michael, Patrick, Thomas, and William Gaffney, arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.

The Jaffnie 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: God is my leader

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)