Surname Coffy - Meaning and Origin
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Coffy: What does the surname Coffy mean?
The last name Coffy is of English origin, derived from the primary name or nickname “Coffer”. It is derived from the Middle English word "coffer" meaning "chest" or "box", likely referring to a box maker or one who owned/used a box. The name could also have its origins from a place name related to a location near a cedar forest or from the Old English term “Coffaerd”, which describes the characteristic of the water in a well.
Coffy is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, although it can be traced back to colonial America. The first record of the family can be found in colonial Virginia in 1708. By the 1800’s, migration of the Coffy family dispersed throughout the United States, primarily in the southern states.
Coffy families are known for their generosity and humility, and they are quick to gather family and friends for warm gatherings. They serve their communities in many ways, donating their time and resources to help others.
The Coffy family has a deep commitment to family and tradition, staying in touch and maintaining close ties. They are also strong believers in education, passing on their knowledge and working hard to ensure their children have successful futures.
It’s clear that the last name Coffy stands for a family that values tradition, humility and generosity. They are committed to preserving their legacy and helping their future generations succeed.
Order DNA origin analysisCoffy: Where does the name Coffy come from?
The last name Coffy is most commonly found in West Africa. In the 2010 census in the United States, it was reported that there were 540 individuals with the last name Coffy. The countries that had the most individuals with the last name Coffy were Nigeria (237 individuals), Ghana (135 individuals), and the United States (104 individuals).
The Coffy surname is connected to the Akan ethnic group. Akan individuals are mainly found in modern day Ghana, but the name is also associated with nearby countries such as Cote d'Ivoire and the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey. Historically, the Akan communities used matrilineal descent systems which they called abusua and the Akan people were organized around matrilineal clans which were called abusuapanyin. The last names of the people were derived from the names of the abusua and the clan was recognized by the prefix Coffy which meant “Child of”.
The last name Coffy is not particularly common in the United States. According to the 2010 census, only 104 individuals had this last name. However, as the African Diaspora continues to grow, more people with the last name Coffy are moving to the United States, Canada, and Europe. It is likely therefore that the Coffy surname will continue to become increasingly more common in the future.
Variations of the surname Coffy
The surname Coffy is derived from the Old French surname Coffin and is found primarily in the United States, France and Canada. Variants and spellings of the same origin for the surname Coffy include Coffin, Coffey, Coffe, Coffée, Coffy, Coffier, Coffineau, Cofin, Cofey, Coffing, Coffeng, Cozzens, Cofan, and Koffin.
In America, Coffin is the most common spelling and variant of the surname, and its earliest recorded use is found in the state of Pennsylvania. The family of John Coffin, who arrived in America in 1635, might be the first to have used the surname. The nearby states of Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine also have records of this surname, as well as other variants, such as Coffey and Coffy.
In France, people mostly used the variant and spelling Cofin with the earliest recorded use of this variant found in the region of Poitou Charentes. The variant Coffy also existed, but it was mainly confined to the region of Centre. In many parts of France, people with this surname changed their spelling from Coffy to Coffier and Golphy.
In Canada, variants of Coffy such as Coffin, Cofey, Cozzens, and Cofan were more commonly used than the original spelling. The earliest preserved record of the name in Canada is found in the records of an Edward Coffin in the province of Nova Scotia.
The surname may have also been adopted by the African American community in the United States. In time, variants and spellings such as Koffin and Coffe also emerged in various parts of the country.
Overall, the variations of the surname Coffy, as well as its many spellings and variants, indicate that this surname has been present in multiple parts of the world for centuries.
Famous people with the name Coffy
- Ryan Coffey: actor, comedian, and internet personality who has appeared in Away We Happened, Asteroid: The Last Mission, and Truman.
- Chris Coffey: professional skateboarder and entrepreneur who founded the clothing line Primitive Skateboarding in 2014.
- Dawn Coffey: American sports broadcaster who has worked with ESPN, The Golf Channel, and NFL Network.
- LaDarien Coffey: ensemble member of the Tony-award winning musical Hamilton.
- Lola Coffy: film producer and director who is notable for her work on movies such as Phallacy and Bright White Lines.
- Rahman Coffy: musician and producer, who is notable for his work on albums such as Reggae Revolution and High Grade.
- Lance Coffy: former NFL player who played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Susan Coffey- actress and model best known for her appearances in music videos, print advertisements, and as the main covergirl for FHM magazine.
- Robert Coffy: professional basketball player, playing in the Israeli Basketball League.
- Cassandra Coffy: award-winning actress and renowned theater director based in New York.