Lafans History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Lafans

What does the name Lafans mean?

The surname Lafans is derived from a child. The surname Lafans is derived from the French "l'enfant," or perhaps from La Font or La Fin, which are both found in French records.

Early Origins of the Lafans family

The surname Lafans was first found in counties Tipperary and Wexford (Irish: Loch Garman), founded by Vikings as Waesfjord, and located in Southeastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster, where they were granted lands by Strongbow after the invasion of Ireland in 1172.

Early History of the Lafans family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lafans research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1200 is included under the topic Early Lafans History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lafans Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes and church officials spelt names simply the way they sounded, which explains the various name spelling variations of the name Lafans that were encountered when researching that surname. The many spelling variations included: Laffan, Laffin, La Font, Laffhan and others.

Early Notables of the Lafans family

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

Migration of the Lafans family

A great number of Irish families left their homeland in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century, migrating to such far away lands as Australia and North America. The early settlers left after much planning and deliberation. They were generally well off but they desired a tract of land that they could farm solely for themselves. The great mass of immigrants to arrive on North American shores in the 1840s differed greatly from their predecessors because many of them were utterly destitute, selling all they had to gain a passage on a ship or having their way paid by a philanthropic society. These Irish people were trying to escape the aftermath of the Great Potato Famine: poverty, starvation, disease, and, for many, ultimately death. Those that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Irish settlers bearing the name Lafans: John Laffan, whose marriage was recorded in Nova Scotia in 1815; Patrick Laffin, who was recorded in Boston in 1818; Edward Laffin, along with his sister Mary and brother Peter, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1805.

The Lafans 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: Vincit omnia veritas
Motto Translation: Truth conquers all things.