Chaffey

Origin and Meaning Chaffey is a surname of Old French origin, derived from the word "chaf" meaning chaff or husk. It is believed to have been an occupational surname for someone who worked with grain.

History The surname Chaffey has a long history in Britain, with records dating back to the 13th century. The name has been most commonly found in the southwestern counties of England, particularly in Devon and Cornwall. It may have been brought to England during or after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Notable Individuals

  • George Chaffey (1848-1932) - A Canadian irrigation engineer and developer who, along with his brother William Chaffey, established several colonies in California and Australia.
  • Frederick W. Chaffee (1871-1931) - An American inventor and businessman who patented the first electric toaster.
  • Alice Chaffee (b. 1985) - A British actress known for her roles in stage productions and television series.

Variants Variants of the surname Chaffey include Chaffy, Chaffe, Chaffie, and Chaffe.

Coat of Arms The Chaffey family crest features a silver shield with a chevron between three silver chaff stars on a blue field.

Present Day Chaffey remains a relatively uncommon surname in Britain today, but can be found in various parts of the country. The name has also spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

There are approximately 844 people named Chaffey in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,442nd most common surname in Britain. Around 13 in a million people in Britain are named Chaffey.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • David
  • Gary
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Jonathan
  • Kevin
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard

Female

  • Alison
  • Annette
  • Charlotte
  • Christine
  • Deborah
  • Debra
  • Helen
  • Janet
  • Laura
  • Lisa
  • Louise
  • Margaret
  • Patricia
  • Samantha

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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