Origin of Relfe
This most unusual and interesting name is ultimately of Old Germanic origin, and was introduced into England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. The surname derives from the Old French male personal name "Riulf", which was adopted from an ancient Germanic compound personal name composed of the elements "ric", power, and "wulf", wolf. The personal name is first recorded in England in 1210, when one Richolf de Gamelton is listed in the Yorkshire Curia Rolls; the name also appears in its Latinized forms of "Riculfus" and "Ricolfus" in 1212 (Yorkshire) and 1219 (Sussex), respectively.
That the given name enjoyed a certain amount of popularity in the Middle Ages is borne out by the variety of modern surnames it has generated; these range from Rolf and Relfe to Relph, Realph and Realff. One John Relf is recorded in the Sussex Subsidy Rolls of 1327, and among the examples of the name in London Church Registers is the christening of William Relf at St. Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, on 28th February 1582. A Coat of Arms granted to a Relf family in Sussex depicts two ermine chevrons between three silver greyhounds' heads erased, collared red, on a black shield. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Reolf, which was dated 1296, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Sussex", during the reign of Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The surname Relfe. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance
The history of the surname relfe is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of relfe. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname relfe, and in addition to the original locations of relfe, we can find out where people with the surname relfe can currently be found.
The surname Relfe around the world
It is common for surnames like relfe to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The mobility of people carrying the surname relfe has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
History of Relfe
The historical journey of the surname relfe can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of relfe. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname relfe are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname relfe, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname relfe or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of relfe.
Notable Figures Named Relfe
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all relfes who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. A surname like relfe can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname relfe who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
The surname Relfe and its bibliographic sources
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname relfe. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname relfe, as well as many other surnames.
SOURCES
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of relfe, and at the same time, of surnames in general.
