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![Show Contents]() Toffen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Toffen is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Toffen family lived in Sussex having derived from the Old English words toft, meaning cluster of trees or bushes, and tun, meaning enclosure or settlement. Early Origins of the Toffen familyThe surname Toffen was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The name was originally De Toketon and the first of the name is recorded as Elphgege de Toketon about the year 1160. Sir Lewis de Tufton was a Commander of the Army at Cresci. The family moved from Sussex to Kent and acquired lands in Rainham which was known as Tuftons. "The church [of Hothfield, Kent] is an ancient edifice, containing some old and costly monuments to the Tufton family." 1 Early History of the Toffen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Toffen research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1584, 1608, 1622, 1626, 1628, 1631, 1638, 1640, 1644, 1648, 1659, 1664, 1679, 1680, 1684, 1688, 1729, 1753, 1849 and 1900 are included under the topic Early Toffen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Toffen Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Tufton, Toughton, Tuffton, Tofton and others. Early Notables of the Toffen familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Nicholas Tufton, 1st Earl of Thanet (1578-1631) was an English peer who owned Bodiam Castle; Sir Humfrey Tufton, 1st Baronet (1584-1659), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Maidstone (1640-1648); John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet (1608-1664), an English nobleman and supporter of Charles I of England; Nicholas Tufton, 3rd Earl of Thanet (1631-1679), styled Lord Tufton until 1664, an English nobleman, High Sheriff of Westmorland...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Toffen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Toffen familyMany English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Toffen or a variant listed above: Richard Tuftin who settled in Nevis in 1660; Symon Tufton landed in North America in 1659.
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: Ales volat propriis
Motto Translation: The bird flies to its kind.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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