Origin of the surname Offin

Recorded as Offen, Offin and Offing, this is a medieval surname and one with both English and Germanic origins. It is occupational and originally described a man who managed an iron smelting works (the oven). In the later Middle Ages the name came to describe both a smelting oven and the more common baking oven, one large enough for the whole village to bake their bread in. In both cases the early spelling was "ofen", and whilst the surname form which developed was generally in the spelling of Oven if English, and Offen if German, both spellings appear in both countries.

In Germany the name can also be a nickname for an honest person. This may also be associated with the bread making, as the "Offen" was empowered to extract payment for the use of the communal oven. Examples of the name recordings include: Brose Offen, who married Anna Langen at Konigsberg in Neumark, Wuertt, Germany, on September 22nd 1583, whilst in England, William Offen was christened at St. Botolph's without Aldgate, London, on September 1st 1633, and Mary Offin, who married John Oxley at St Botolphs Bishopgate, on April 18th 1652. The coat of arms granted in Lippe, Germany, has the blazon of a gold field charged with a blue fesse and there on two gold baulks. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Attenovene. This was dated 1276, in the Assize Court rolls of Somerset, during the reign of King Edward 1st, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Offin. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of offin is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of offin.

The surname Offin around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname offin.

History of Offin

The historical chronicle of offin is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname offin.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname offin, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest.

Notable Figures Named Offin

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished offins throughout human history. If you or someone you know bears the surname offin, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname offin who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Offin and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of offin. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of offin.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of offin, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Offin