Surname Tefft - Meaning and Origin

Tefft: What does the surname Tefft mean?

The surname Tefft is of Anglo-Saxon origin, dating back to roughly the 8th century in England. It is believed to have derived from a personal name, specifically the Old English "theod" meaning "people" or "tribe" and "frith" meaning "peace". Hence, it could possibly indicate a peaceful or diplomatic individual among a tribe or a group of people. There's also a possibility of it being a location-based surname, referring to those who lived near a boundary or border line, although this interpretation is less widely accepted. Over centuries, the spelling of the surname has varied, including versions such as Teff, Teft, or Tifft. As with many surnames, Tefft likely started as a nickname or descriptor that eventually became a family name. The surname is relatively rare today but most commonly found in the United States, particularly in areas with a strong historical English influence. It's important to note that the specific interpretations of the surname can depend on its historical and regional context.

Tefft: Where does the name Tefft come from?

The last name Tefft is derived from an old German word meaning “tender” and is common in many parts of the world today, with no one place having a higher concentration than another.

In North America, it is most common in the United States, primarily in the Midwest and New England. For example, in the state of Indiana alone, over a quarter of the people with the last name Tefft live there. The Mid-Atlantic states and the Midwest regions of the United States also feature many Tefft’s.

The last name Tefft is also present throughout parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in various parts of England.

In South America, the last name is found in smaller numbers but still has a presence. It is most concentrated in Brazil, where nearly 2% of the population has the last name Tefft.

Finally, Tefft is also present in Australasia, primarily in New Zealand and Australia. In New Zealand, Tefft is the 203rd most common last name, and in Australia, the 334th most common.

Overall, the last name Tefft has a presence in many parts of the world, though by no means unmanageable numbers. While some regions have higher concentrations than others, overall, the last name is widely distributed.

Variations of the surname Tefft

The Tefft surname is traceable to at least two possible geophenical origins, England and France.

In England, variations of the Tefft name may include Tefett, Tefitt, Teaping, Teff, Teffet, and Teffte. Some medieval English spellings of Tefft included Taffite, Tapitt, Tappytt, Tefete, Tofett, and Tyffett. Many English renditions stemmed from the Old Norman French word taffete.

In France, Tefft is a derivative of several mediaeval given names such as Teff, Teffe, Teft, Teffeut, Teft, Teftin, Tefton, and Teftoun. Its variations include Tiéfent, Tiéffent, Teffet, Tiéffon, Teffan, Teffain, and Tieffain.

Beyond that, there are other mediuval French and English surnames that may be linked to the Tefft family, including Tefton, Tiffet, Tufit, Teppy, Tofet, Taveit, Tefit, Tepit, and Tipett.

The Tefft surname eventually found its way to other parts of Europe, were its variants or phonetic equivalents, such as Tefft, Tiéffent, Tiefendorf, Teffin, and Tieffenbach are still found in some countries.

As the Tefft surname spread to foreign countries, their original spelling underwent various changes due to different language and cultural contexts. Today, surnames derived from Tefft can include Tiéfent, Tiéffent, Deffent, Defendente, Tiefendorf, and Tiefenbach.

Famous people with the name Tefft

• John Tefft: United States diplomat who served in Russia, Lithuania, and other countries as Ambassador for the United States.
• Tricia Tefft: Director of Programs at the Washington Center for Women in Business.
• Charles Tefft: Author, musician, and publisher of boating books, guides, and stories, including the Atlantic West Coast cruising guide.
• Robert Tefft: Former US Navy Commander and National Public Radio commentator.
• Arthur Tefft: American inventor who patented the Tefft Glider, considered the world's first hang glider and early ancestor of the modern hang glider.
• Deborah Tefft: Retired teacher and philanthropist who was a longtime staff member of the United Nations Development Programme.
• Dean Tefft: Singer-songwriter and gospel artist, best known for his 2006 album "Sit Down and Listen".
• Ed Tefft: Baseball pitcher who played for the National League's Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1920s and 1930s.
• Matthew Tefft: Maritime and coastal historian, best known for his work on early American coastal navigation.
• Thaddeus Tefft: American landscape painter who painted numerous works in the Hudson River School tradition between 1880 and 1890.

Other surnames

Teffy