Phyffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Phyffe

What does the name Phyffe mean?

The annals of Scottish history reveal that Phyffe was first used as a name by ancestors of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Phyffe family lived in the county of Fife. The surname Phyffe belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. As a general rule, the greater the distance between individuals and their homelands, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, people who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came.

Early Origins of the Phyffe family

The surname Phyffe was first found in Fife, 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 Phyffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Phyffe research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1436, 1447, 1453, 1454, 1462 and 1464 are included under the topic Early Phyffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Phyffe Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Phyffe has been spelled Fyfe, Fife, Fyffe, Phyfe, Phyffe and others.

Early Notables of the Phyffe family

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

Migration of the Phyffe family to Ireland

Some of the Phyffe 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 Phyffe family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Phyffe: John Fife who settled in Maryland in 1739; Alexander Fife settled in Jamaica in 1774; Isobell Fife and her child settled in New York State in 1775; James Fife settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1774.

The Phyffe 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: Virtute et opera
Motto Translation: By virtue and energy.