Surname Selfe - Meaning and Origin
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Selfe: What does the surname Selfe mean?
The surname Selfe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and emerged in the medieval period. It was frequently used in Middle England, especially in areas of Buckinghamshire and the surrounding regions. The phrase is derived from the Old English 'shelf', meaning 'shelf or ledge'. So, the surname was likely originally a topographic surname given to someone who lived near a significant shelf or ledge, or a locational surname referring to a person who came from a place called Shelf. Over time, it may have changed its form to Selfe, due to variations in regional dialects and spelling inconsistency in early records. Like many ancient surnames, its meaning can offer an interesting snapshot into the geography, profession or personal characteristics of an individual's ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisSelfe: Where does the name Selfe come from?
The last name Selfe is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. It is particularly prevalent in parts of England such as London and the South East, as well as parts of Wales.
The origins of the surname are uncertain but it may have emerged from a contracted form of certain patronymic surnames based on the personal names Elvet or Elveth. This suggests that the name may have become established in areas of England and Wales which were settled by Scandinavian settlers in the 8th and 9th centuries.
The first time the last name Selfe appears in British records is in the 12th century, when the first mention of the name was a deed of gift recorded in the feet of fines relating to Cambridgeshire in 1233. After this, there are numerous records of people with the name over the course of the following centuries.
Today, Selfe remains an uncommonly encountered name in the UK and can only be found in records specifically searched for it, although its frequency is growing, suggesting an increasing presence in the population.
Variations of the surname Selfe
The surname Selfe is derived from Old English origins and is thought to be a toponymic surname related to a location. It was frequently found in Hampshire, England and is thought to refer to a self-sown place, which is where a plant has grown from its own seed without human intervention. The variants of this surname include Self, Selves and Silf.
Spellings are often altered depending on dialect, pronunciation, and phonetics. For example, the double ‘L’ could become single or a ‘V’ and the double ‘F’ could be spelt as one ‘F’ or as ‘PH’. Variants of Selfe could then become Self, Sell, Sellf, Sellv, Sellph, Selv, Selph, Silf, Silv, and Silph.
Surnames related to Selfe include Selfe, Selvey, Elven, Elford, Elfman, Elvey, Ellvood, and Silverman. These surnames take the Selfe root word and modify it or add other words onto it like ‘wood’ or ‘man’.
Sometimes, surnames can be confused for one another. Variants of Selfe and those related to it can be mistaken for Selk, which is an occupational surname meaning somebody who retailed cloth. Additionally, there is the German surname Zelfe which is thought to be derived from the Middle High German 'selb’ meaning ‘same’. Finally, the Finnish surname of Ulfs is sometimes mistaken for Selfe, which is derived from a medieval personal name ‘Ulfr’, possibly meaning ‘wolf’.
Famous people with the name Selfe
- Julie Selfe: an actress who has been in a variety of TV shows, including NCIS, Desperate Housewives, Mad Men, and Big Time Rush.
- Lee Selfe: Former English footballer, now football analyst.
- Charles Selfe: British political scientist, known for his contribution to the study of British and European government and politics.
- John Selfe: Artist and filmmaker. Winner of numerous awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
- Martin Selfe: English classicist, known for his work on classical authors and ancient Athens.
- Matthew Selfe: Professional photographer and owner of Selfe Photography.
- Stephen Selfe: Artist, printmaker, and curator.
- Regan Selfe: British professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer, currently signed to the Bellator MMA.
- Wayne Selfe: Fashion designer who focuses on luxury leather goods.
- Hickman Selfe: Writer and historian, known for his extensive research into the history of British Rail.