Surname Tordiffe - Meaning and Origin
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Tordiffe: What does the surname Tordiffe mean?
The last name Tordiffe is originating from the area of Northern Ireland. Its origins are believed to be from a Norman-French baptismal name Tardiff. It is believed that it was first brought to Ireland by the Norman invasion of 1169, as they were known to give their followers surnames derived from their names.
The literal translation of 'Tardiff' is 'Strong Defier' and was used to describe either an individual who displayed great strength or a person who loudly and confidently expressed a firm opinion.
The name Tordiffe is believed to have established itself firmly in the northern Ireland counties of Armagh, Fermanagh and Tyrone.
The name then spread into England, especially in the eastern counties, during the 16th century and it is believed that the name then slowly spread further into Europe.
Today, Tordiffe is known as a common Irish surname with people of the name being widely spread throughout the world, despite still being predominantly located in various parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The Tordiffe name is not only a unique name with a beautiful history but also a proud symbol of a person’s strength, spirit and courage and it is sure to continue to spread throughout the world for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisTordiffe: Where does the name Tordiffe come from?
The last name Tordiffe is most commonly found in the south of England, particularly in Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Devon. It is also found throughout the United Kingdom, with many Tordiffes in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and other areas in England.
The surname is thought to originate from the Old English words of 'tor' (rock) and 'diff' (open space). During Medieval times, families would have taken on a last name based on where they lived or a unique feature of their area, which could explain the relevance of the Old English terms in the name.
The geographical spread of the Tordiffe family is likely linked to two periods of historical migration; firstly, during the 18th century when Wiltshire residents began to move further west and south to the industrial towns of Devon and Cornwall looking for work. Secondly, during the Industrial and Agricultural Revolution, many people from Wiltshire moved across the UK in search of better opportunities. This has likely had a significant influence on the non-concentrated spread of the surname Tordiffe throughout the United Kingdom.
The 19th century census returns show that the surname predominantly occurs within the south of England, but records also show that Tordiffe's were living in much more remote locations such as Aberdeen, Scotland. From this we can deduce that the geographical spread of the surname has remained relatively unchanged in recent centuries, with its heaviest concentration still in the south of England.
Variations of the surname Tordiffe
The surname Tordiffe can be written in various ways. Some variations of the spelling are Tardiff, Tordif, Tardif, Tardiffe, and Tardiff. All these different forms of the surname have the same French origin, stemming from the Old French word “tardif”, which translates to “late”.
The popular surnames derived from Tordiffe are Tardiff and Tardiff. Tardiff is the most common spelling, having seen a vast increase in usage in recent years. It is likely that this spelling of the surname is a result of its pronunciation by English-speakers, who may struggle to pronounce the “dif” in Tordiffe.
The regular spelling of the surname is Tordiffe, which is spelled in the French manner and is most predominately found in France. Tordiffe or Tordif is also quite common in Quebec, Canada.
Other surnames related to Tordiffe or Tardiff are Tardiveau, Tordial, and Tardieu. Many people with these last names may have had an ancestor living in France or Canada at one time. All of these surnames are variants of the same root word, “tardif”.
The surname Tordiffe is rare but has a rich history and is the source of several other spellings and variations. All of these spellings and surnames have the same French roots, tracing back to the word “tardif”, which translates to “late”.
Famous people with the name Tordiffe
- Brad Tordiffe: Australian Paralympic swimmer
- Nicole Tordiffe: Australian cyclist
- Will Tordiffe: Australian cricketer
- Brooke Tordiffe: Australian actions sports enthusiast
- Andrew Tordiffe: British businessman
- Christopher Tordiffe: British Olympic archer
- Edward Tordiffe: British golfer
- John Tordiffe: British rugby union player
- Liz Tordiffe: British author
- Nicky Tordiffe: British actor