Surname Taliaferro - Meaning and Origin
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Taliaferro: What does the surname Taliaferro mean?
The surname Taliaferro is of Italian origin, specifically from Northern Italy. The name is derived from the Italian term "tagliaferro," which translates to English as "iron cutter." This implies that the original bearers of the name were likely involved in the ironworking or blacksmith industry. Over centuries, the name went through a profusion of spelling alterations. In America, it is pronounced as "Tolliver" and it has been existent in Virginia since the early periods of colonial settlement. Despite the unforeseen pronunciation, its holders have preserved the original spelling which is likely due to their early establishment and wide-acknowledgment in American society. Therefore, Taliaferro is a respectable surname in the United States, signifying a long heritage that could be traced back to the original Italian iron cutters.
Order DNA origin analysisTaliaferro: Where does the name Taliaferro come from?
The last name Taliaferro is most commonly found in the United States of America. In the 2018 census, it was recorded as having 2,323 people with the surname. The most populous states with Taliaferro families are Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
The origin of Taliaferro is Italian and Spanish, from the Latin "Taliaferus", meaning "iron worker". Taliaferro families in the United States of America date back to the 1600s when Edward Taliaferro came to Virginia. In the early 1700s, other Taliaferro families moved to Maryland, and then to North Carolina and Georgia.
Taliaferro is an uncommon but not rare surname in the United States of America. As the Taliaferro family descended and spread throughout the country it has become more widely dispersed. The Taliaferro family has played an important role in the history of the United States of America, and it is still represented throughout the country today.
Variations of the surname Taliaferro
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Taliaferro are Talifer, Taleiferro, Talifero, Taleifero,Talliferro, Taliferro, Taliferru, Taleiferru, Taleaffero, Taleafero, Taleaferru, Taliabuer, Taliapher, Taliphur, Talifur, Talifurro, Tallyferro, Tallyfer, and Thaliaferro.
The Taliaferro surname is derived from the Old French word ‘talifero’, which means ‘the one who works metal’. It was a common occupational name for someone who worked with metals. This surname also has some Spanish origins as the Latin root ‘taliafer’ means ‘iron worker’.
The English spellings for this name are Taleifero, Taliferro and Taliaferro, whereas, the Spanish spellings are Talifero and Taleifero. All the variant spellings mean essentially the same thing - ironworker. Over time, the spelling has changed due to how each language pronounces certain parts of the surname differently.
The different spellings of Taliaferro can also be found in other languages such as Italian (Talliferro), Portuguese (Taliferru) and German (Taliabuer, Taliaphur). These spellings may be based on the regional dialects of the respective language.
Most of the Taliaferro surname variations come from the same root, however there are some alternative variations which may have come from different origins. For example, the surname Tallyfer is derived from the Old English word ‘taltig’ which means ‘skilled’ or ‘diligent’. There is also a Scottish surname variation where the root is most likely derived from the Gaelic word ‘talaidh’ which means ‘ploughman’.
Famous people with the name Taliaferro
- Charles Taliaferro: Charles Taliaferro is an American philosopher and psychology professor at St. Olaf College. He has authored or edited 55 books related to philosophy, the history of philosophy, and psychology. He has also written numerous articles in these areas as well.
- John Taliaferro: John Taliaferro is an American journalist and author, best known for his books about American foreign policy and the American West. His book 'Garrison's Finish' was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist in 2014.
- Keith Taliaferro: Keith Taliaferro is an American former professional football player. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) as a quarterback from 1945 to 1952, most notably with the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- April Taliaferro: April Taliaferro is an American former television host and the former co-host of the television program 'The People's Court.' She has since gone on to pursue a career in law.
- Phoebe Taliaferro: Phoebe Taliaferro is an American singer and songwriter. She has released several albums and films, and has been a guest on multiple radio programs.