Taft

The surname Taft is of English origin and has a long history dating back to medieval times. It is a toponymic surname derived from the Old English word "taft," which referred to a type of fine silk fabric. The name may have originally denoted someone who worked with or sold this fabric.

Origins

The Taft surname is most commonly found in the county of Norfolk in East Anglia, England, where the textile industry flourished during the medieval period. The name may have also spread to other parts of England as people migrated for work or trade.

Variations

Variations of the Taft surname include Tafft, Taufft, and Taaft. Over time, the spelling of surnames evolved due to variations in pronunciation and literacy levels.

Notable Individuals

One of the most prominent bearers of the Taft surname was William Howard Taft (1857–1930), an American politician who served as the 27th President of the United States (1909–1913) and later as the 10th Chief Justice of the United States (1921–1930). Despite being American, the Taft surname provides a link to English heritage.

Distribution

While the Taft surname is more commonly associated with America due to the legacy of William Howard Taft, there are still individuals with this surname in the United Kingdom, particularly in Norfolk and other parts of England where the name originated.

References

  • P.H. Reaney, Wilson. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.
  • Hanks, Patrick, et al. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.

There are approximately 1,211 people named Taft in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,386th most common surname in Britain. Around 19 in a million people in Britain are named Taft.

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

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Nicholas
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Robert

Female

  • Anne
  • Christine
  • Helen
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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