| ![Show Contents]() Tiffan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of TiffanWhat does the name Tiffan mean? Tiffan is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Tiffan family when they emigrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Tiffan comes from the medieval female given name Tiffania, that comes from the Greek Theophania, composed of the elements theos, meaning God and phainein meaning to appear. Tiffin translates roughly as the manifestation of God. 1 In a case where a man had a family by a second marriage the children of his second wife would occasionally take her name as a means of distinguishing the two groups. Early Origins of the Tiffan familyThe surname Tiffan was first found in Kent where the single names Theophania, Teffania, Theffanie all appeared in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1206. Later in Devon, Tiphina le Justiser was registered in 1322 and later again, Tiffania was found in Norfolk in 1323. Tiffan and Teffen both appear in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. As a surname, the first record we found as Gilbert Tyffayne in Norfolk in 1288. Later Cristina Typhayn was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327 and later again, William Tyffen was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524. 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include Johannes Holand et Tiffan uxor ejus; and Teffan Danyll. 1 Tiffany & Co., the luxury jewelry and specialty company in New York was named and founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812-1902), born in Killingly, Connecticut. Early History of the Tiffan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tiffan research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1536, 1540, 1632, 1690, 1695, 1750 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Tiffan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Tiffan Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Tiffan were recorded, including Tiffen, Tiffin, Tiffing, Tiffine and others. Early Notables of the Tiffan familyMore information is included under the topic Early Tiffan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Tiffan familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Tiffan arrived in North America very early: Joseph Tiffen who landed in America in 1752; George Tiffin settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1822; Henry Tiffin settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1830.
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: Patria fidelis
Motto Translation: A faithful country.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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