Origin of the surname Saffer

Recorded in many forms as shown below, this is an English medieval surname. It is one however whose origins may lie overseas. It probably originates from the French word "saffre" introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. If so it could be occupational and describe a grower of herbs particularly saffron, or a nickname for a man who enjoyed his food! Another suggestion is that the origin is pre 7th century Norse Viking from the name"Saefogl" meaning sea bird. If so it specificaly referred to the cormorant, held in great esteem for its fierce and vicious temperament, and having much in common with the Vikings.

As a personal name Saefogl is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 for the county of Hampshire. The surname is much later, first appearing in the 13th Century (see below). It has developed a wide range of spellings said to include Safe, Saffe, Safell, Saffell, Saffill, Saffle, Safhill, and Saffer. Early recordings include examples such as Robert Sefoul in the Hundred Rolls of Oxford in 1279; and John Safoul in the Assize Court Rolls of Essex in 1376. Later examples are those of Isaac Saffole recorded at Little Baddow, Essex, on April 1st 1569, Thomas Safe who married Mary Jordan at St Botolphs Bishopgate, on February 16th 1589, Johyn Saffer who married Margaret Hooke at St Dunstans in the east, Stepney, on January 11th 1623, and Henry Saffell christened at Great Wallham, on April 24th 1757. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Seful. This was dated 1275, in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, 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 Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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

Discovering the historical roots of saffer is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname saffer is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.

The surname Saffer 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 saffer. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname saffer provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Saffer

The historical chronicle of saffer is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname saffer, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of saffer developed.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname saffer, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about saffer and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Saffer

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished saffers throughout human history. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname saffer were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname saffer who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Saffer and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of saffer. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of saffer are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.

SOURCES

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

Origin of Saffer