Shaftan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Shaftan

What does the name Shaftan mean?

The ancestors of the Shaftan family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Northumberland, at Shafto Crag, from whence their name is derived.

Early Origins of the Shaftan family

The surname Shaftan was first found in Northumberland at either Shafto East or Shafto West. Both townships have remained rather small over the years with populations less than 50 people but both have considerable antiquity, being mentioned in records of the 13th century. In 1378, Matthew Bolton, vicar of Newcastle, and others, were feoffees for founding a chantry in the "chapel of Shafthowe." The Shaftos were traditional landowners of the area with the Aynsleys, and the Vaughans. 1

Early History of the Shaftan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shaftan research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1110 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Shaftan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shaftan Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Shafto, Shaftan, Shaftoe, Shaftowe, Shaftow and others.

Early Notables of the Shaftan family

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

Migration of the Shaftan family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Shaftan or a variant listed above: John Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1716; Edward Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1730.

The Shaftan 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: A shafto

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.