Surname Naff - Meaning and Origin

Naff: What does the surname Naff mean?

The last name Naff is most likely of English origin and is derived from the Old English word næf, which means “navel” or “belly-button.” This surname would have originally been used to indicate somebody who was related by birth to a particular family, typically an illegitimate child. It could also have been used as a nickname for somebody who was round or rotund.

Today, the Naff surname is still primarily found in Great Britain and other parts of the former British Empire, such as the United States and Canada. There are also some people who have adopted the surname in other parts of the world, as it is relatively easy for people to do so.

The Naff surname has several variations, including Naft, Nafte, Nafitt and Nafzen. These variations likely developed independently as different cultures used their own spelling systems or languages to spell the same name.

Naffs can be found in many different professions, from politics to the arts, and even though not all Naffs are related, many still share a common history and ancestry.

Overall, the Naff surname is a unique and interesting one. Its origins date back to before the Norman Conquest, and it’s interesting to think about the origins and how it is still in use today.

Naff: Where does the name Naff come from?

The last name Naff is a rare name. It is of English origin, meaning ‘short’ or ‘small’. Naff is most commonly seen in the United States and Canada today. It's rarely seen in other parts of the world.

In the United States, the name is mainly seen in the states of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. This is likely due to the high concentration of English immigrants in the early 19th century in these regions. Additionally, many of the first Naff families to emigrate to the United States chose to settle in these regions.

In Canada, the name Naff is found mostly on the east coast but can be found in other parts of the country. The name is especially concentrated in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Naff is an uncommon name, but there are many descendants of the original Naff families today in the United States and Canada. It is likely that the name will continue to be passed down through generations, though it remains a relatively rare surname.

Variations of the surname Naff

Naff is a surname of English origin, and there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of this same origin. Old English can be the source of many of the variations, which include: Naffe, Naffee, Naffey, Naffie, Naffinger, Nafford, Naffy, Nafey, Nafie, Naff, and Naif. Other variations, such as Napp and Napper, are derived from the word 'knap', meaning to 'cut off'.

Variations exist for a variety of phonetic reasons. For example, 'Naife' might come from the Middle English pronunciation of 'Naff' as nayfe, as dialects of the Middle Ages changed how words were pronounced. So too, the spelling 'Naffey' might derive from the pronunciation of 'Naff' as naffey.

The most common variant of the name Naff is Nafe, which in many cases is the modern spelling of Naff. This variation is most likely to originate from the French version of the name Naff, Naffez, which was the version used in England in the Middle Ages.

Variations of Naff may also be found in other languages, such as the Dutch version, 'Nafzinger', and the Italian version, 'Napfel'. Additionally, variations derived from possible Greek or Latin origins have been found, such as 'Nepe' and 'Nepfel'.

It is important to note that there are several other surnames derived from the Naff surname. These include 'Naffz', 'Naford', 'Nafey', 'Naifz', 'Napfe', 'Napper', 'Nays', 'Neef', 'Neefs', 'Neife', and 'Naes'. However, these variations all ultimately stem from the same surname, Naff.

Famous people with the name Naff

• Adrian Naff: American jazz saxophonist and flautist
• Ari Naff: American actor best known for roles in the television series St. Elsewhere, Cheers and It's a Living
• Cleo Naff: American silent film actress
• Gary Naff: American local news reporter based in Huntington, West Virginia
• Jeffrey Naff: American film director and actor
• Joseph Naff: American football player who played in the NFL
• Kenneth Naff: American actor and gambling expert
• Lewis Wiley Naff: American soldier
• Maria Naff: Venezuelan/American singer
• Marion Gooding Naff: American physician and oncologist
• Mary Elizabeth Naff: American librarian and journalist
• Mary Virginia Naff: American botanist
• Parker Naff: American baseball player
• Phill Bruce Naff: American figure skater
• Richard Naff: American President of the American Alpine Club
• Robert Naff: American film producer
• Russell Naff: American New York Radio DJ
• William Naff: American telecommunications engineer

Other surnames

NÄfNäffgenNafrodtNafrothNäfvalain