Tordoff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

Etymology of Tordoff

What does the name Tordoff mean?

From the historical and enchanting region of France emerged a multitude of notable family names, including that of the distinguished Tordoff family. Originally, the people in this region went by one (personal) name. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. These names then began to become "fixed" or hereditary between the generations. One of the types of names adopted as surnames were those derived from nicknames. Nicknames, or "eke-names," were an added name that generally reflected some physical characteristics or other attribute of the person that used the name. The Tordoff surname derives from the Old French word "tardif," meaning "slow;" and as such was a nickname for a sluggish person.

Early Origins of the Tordoff family

The surname Tordoff was first found in Berry, a former province until 1790 when it became a region in central France where this eminent family held a family seat in the honor of the seigneurie of Bordesoulle.

"Guillotus Tardivel more than once appears in the Norman Exchequer Rolls of the end of the twelfth century." 1

Early History of the Tordoff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tordoff research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1810 is included under the topic Early Tordoff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tordoff Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tardiff, Tardif, Turdif, Turdiff, Terdif and many more.

Early Notables of the Tordoff family

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

Migration of the Tordoff family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jean Tardif who sailed from the west coast province of Aunis and arrived in Quebec in 1735; Jacques Tardif arrived in Quebec from Normandy in 1669.

Contemporary Notables of the name Tordoff (post 1700) +

Harrison B. Tordoff, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
Mr. Keith Graham Tordoff M.B.E., British Owner and Proprietor for Oldest Sweet Shop in the World at Pateley Bridge and Chair for Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Business and to the community in Nidderdale 2
Mr. Jack Crossley Tordoff O.B.E., M.B.E., British Chair for JCT600 Ltd, appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Business and to the community in West Yorkshire 3

Sources +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 4 July 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists