Surname Teffy - Meaning and Origin
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Teffy: What does the surname Teffy mean?
The last name Teffy has a long and varied history, likely originating from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds. It is likely that it is of either British, German, or French origin.
The British version could be associated with the name Taffy which is said to have a Welsh and Cornish origin. This refers to someone from Little Taff, which is a Welsh village. It is also possible that this spelling of the name was introduced to other countries by British immigrants.
The German version is thought to have come from either the name Tief, meaning deep, or Teufel, meaning devil. Both names could also indicate a physical trait of an individual.
Finally, the French version also has an interesting backstory. The name has a similar sound to ti fi, which is a French expression meaning ‘small pet’. This name may have originally been given to someone who was small or perhaps had a beloved pet.
The last name Teffy is unique and as such, its exact origin can be difficult to trace. It is possible that it has evolved from any of these sources, or perhaps a combination. Each has its own unique story that is worth exploring.
Order DNA origin analysisTeffy: Where does the name Teffy come from?
The last name Teffy is a rare surname today. It is mainly found in the United States and Canada. It was likely brought to those locations by immigrants from the British Isles.
The earliest records of the Teffy surname were found in Cornwall, England in the early 1700s. At that time, it was most commonly found there in the small village of St. Neot, near the Scottish border. However, Historic records indicate that the Teffy name has been present on the continent for many centuries.
In North America, the name Teffy is most commonly found in the United States. The majority of persons with the Teffy name live in Texas and California. In Canada, the name Teffy is found primarily in the province of Manitoba, especially in the city of Winnipeg.
The Teffy surname has also spread throughout Europe, particularly Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The name is also common among people of Jewish ancestry in the eastern European countries, such as Poland, Ukraine and Russia.
In recent decades, it appears to have become more frequent in other countries around the world, especially Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa. There have also been some reports of the name Teffy in the Caribbean and South America countries.
Overall, the name Teffy is still relatively rare compared to other surnames, but it is slowly spreading around the globe.
Variations of the surname Teffy
The surname Teffy is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "teffy" which literally means "small one". It is a nickname for a short or petite person. It was originally used as a diminutive form of the given name Theodore, but has also been used as a given name in its own right.
The most common variants of the surname Teffy are Teffey and Teffie, both of which are pronounced the same way. Other variants include Tefey, Teffey, Tefy, Teffe, Tuffy, Tuffey, Tuffie and Tuffee.
When it comes to surnames of the same origin, some of the most commonly seen ones are: Teffeyd, Teffyde, Teffydd, Teffeld, Teffield, Teffill, Teffills, Tefferd, Tefford, Teffred, Teffrey and Teffrowe.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname may also have changed over time due to incorrect spelling or transcription errors, resulting in variations like Teffe, Teffey, Teffy, Teffeyd, Teffyde, Teffydd, Teffeld, Teffield, Teffill, Teffills, Tefferd, Tefford, Teffred, Teffrey and Teffrowe.
Overall, the surname Teffy is a unique and interesting name with many variants and spellings. It has been used to represent a diminutive form of the given Theodore as well as a given name in its own right and it can also be used to refer to a petite person. There are a variety of surnames which share the same origin, making it a flexible surname and one with a lot of depth.
Famous people with the name Teffy
- Dan Teffy, former US Army Lieutenant General
- Charles Teffy, former NFL player
- Rebeca Teffy, Miss Dominican Republic 2015
- Deanna Teffy, royal portrait and landscape artist
- Kyle Teffy, professional skateboarder and former X Games participant
- Rose Teffy, Peruvian opera singer
- Benjamin Teffy, former NBA player
- Jonathan Teffy, figurative artist and illustrator
- Brutus Teffy, lead singer of the punk rock band The Googles
- Bette Teffy, Emmy-nominated costume designer