| ![Show Contents]() Treffrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The proud Treffrey family originated in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Treffrey family originally lived in Cornwall at the manor of Treffry. Early Origins of the Treffrey familyThe surname Treffrey was first found in Cornwall where "this name is derived from the manor of Treffry, in the parish of Lanhydrock, where it is traced to a very early period. " 1 The first on record was Roger Treffry about the year 1200 and 11th in descent from him in the main line was John Treffry, living in 1620. Thomas Treffry of Lanhydrock, is said to have been grandfather or great grandfather to Sir John Treffry, who distinguished himself so bravely at the Battle of Cressy. According to the family documents, he was made knight banneret on the occasion. From that period to the present time, Place House in the parish of Fowey in Cornwall has been the residence of their representatives and descendants. "Thomas Treffry builded a right fair and stronge embatelid towr in his house : and embateling al the waulles of the house in a manner made it a castelle; and unto this day it is the glorie of the town building in Faweye." 2 This continued to be the residence of the Treffrys for many generations. Sir John Treffry was attainted by Richard III. ; but by his successful competitor for the crown, his estates were again restored. Thomas Treffry, who died in 1568, and for whom there is a memorial in Fowey church, was one of the county members in the reign of Mary. The Treffry estates continued in this family and name until the year 1658; when John Treffry, Esq. bequeathed his property to his cousin Thomas Treffry, of Rooke in St. Kew. Records also show that the manor of Tregwide, or Tregoyde, which belonged to the ancient family of Treffry, is at present in a divided state. 2 Early History of the Treffrey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Treffrey research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1490, 1529, 1545, 1554, 1564, 1577, 1594, 1621, 1643, 1658 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Treffrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Treffrey Spelling VariationsCornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and 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 of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Treffry, Treffrey, Treffray, Trefrey, Trefry, Trefray, Trefary, Trevry, Trevrey and many more. Early Notables of the Treffrey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Treffrey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Treffrey familyIn the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Treffrey were found: James Trefary who settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1765.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Treffrey (post 1700) | + |
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
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