COFFEY
Coffey
Coffey is a prominent Irish surname, hailing mainly from the Connacht region in the west of Ireland. The name is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name “Ó Cobhthaigh”, which translates to “descendant of Cobhthach”. The surname has been widely documented throughout history, with variations such as MacCoffey also being prevalent.
Origins and History
The Coffey surname traces its origins to the ancient Gaelic tribes of Ireland. The name was traditionally associated with the province of Connacht, particularly County Cork. Over time, the Coffey clan spread to other counties in Ireland as well as to other parts of the world through emigration.
Notable Bearers
- Arthur Coffey (1904–1993): Irish playwright and author known for his contributions to Irish theatre.
- Graeme Coffey (b. 1987): British Olympic swimmer who represented Team GB at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Mary Anne Coffey (181319–1875): Australian convict who was transported to Van Diemen's Land (present-day Tasmania) and later became a successful businesswoman.
Modern Distribution
The Coffey surname has a significant presence in the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and Canada, owing to the Irish diaspora. In the UK, Coffey is relatively common, particularly in areas with strong Irish heritage, such as Liverpool and London.
Crest and Motto
The Coffey family crest typically features symbols associated with strength, wisdom, and prosperity. The motto associated with the Coffey clan often reflects values such as unity, courage, and loyalty, reflecting the ancestral roots and traditions of the family.
In conclusion, the Coffey surname holds a rich history and continues to be a prominent name in Irish and British communities worldwide, with many individuals of note contributing to various fields.
There are approximately 4,752 people named Coffey in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,980th most common surname in Britain. Around 73 in a million people in Britain are named Coffey.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Anthony
- Christopher
- Daniel
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Thomas
Female
- Angela
- Ann
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Joanne
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Coffee
- Caughey
- Caffey
- Coff
- Coffel
- Coffe
- Coffi
- Coffay
- Cofe
- Caffay
- Caffy
- Cavaye
- Cavey
- Cavy
- Cawvey
- Coaffee
- Coffa
- Coffeey
- Coffie
- Coffine
- Coffle
- Coffrey
- Coffy
- Coffyn
- Cofie
- Covey
- Covy
- Cuffey
- Cuffy
- Gaffey
- Gaffy
- Gauvey
- Gavey
- Goffey
- Govey
- Guffey
- Guffy
- Guveya
- Kavaiya
- Kavey
- Kaviya
- Keavey
- Keavy
- Keevey
- Keevy
- Kevey
- Koffi
- Kofie
- Kuveya
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.