Show ContentsTolber History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Tolber family

The surname Tolber was first found in Huntingdon, where they were descended from Taillefer of Normandy, jester to King William, Duke of Normandy, who asked the Duke for a favor at Hastings. Telfer put his horse to the gallop charging before all the rest to the amazement of the English soldiers. "A name of great antiquity. The exploits of the noble jouglere Taillefer at the battle of Hastings are well-known. William, Count of Angoulesme, in a battle against the Northmen engaged their king Storis, and with one stroke of his sword Durissima, forged by the great Wayland Smith, cut in two his body and cuirass. Hence he acquired the sobriquet of Taillefer, or 'cut iron.' " [1] He was granted lands in Huntingdon, but was invited by David, Earl of Huntingdon, later to be King of Scotland, to attend him in Scotland and was granted lands in Lanarkshire.

Early History of the Tolber family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tolber research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1500, 1643, 1683 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Tolber History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tolber Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Telfer, Talfer, Telford, Telpher, Talifero, Tailyefer, Telfair and many more.

Early Notables of the Tolber family

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

Ireland Migration of the Tolber family to Ireland

Some of the Tolber family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tolber family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Telfer settled in Philadelphia in 1856; John Telford settled in Virginia in 1774; Edmund and Mathew Telfair settled in New York in 1820; Mary Telford settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1772..



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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