Surname Telfer - Meaning and Origin
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Telfer: What does the surname Telfer mean?
The last name Telfer is of Anglo-Scottish origin, with likely roots in Old English and Middle English. The name consists of two elements: 'tel' which means 'roof tile' and 'fer', which means 'shepherd'. Taken together, the literal meaning of the name Telfer is 'shepherd of the roof tiles'.
The name likely originated as a surname used to identify a person who manufactured roof tiles or a herder who tended to roof tiles for building repairs. The name could also simply refer to a shepherd, or someone who kept a flock of animals.
Today, the last name Telfer is most commonly found in parts of the United Kingdom, especially Scotland, as well as in Europe and North America.
The Telfer surname is often associated with strong work ethic, an intuitive personality, and a strong sense of justice. People with the last name Telfer are often independent, resilient, and loyal. They have a strong presence in their immediate family, and are confident yet affable in any situation. In addition, Telfers have an entrepreneurial spirit, with many of them being entrepreneurs, business owners, and thought leaders in their respective fields. They are also committed to their communities and are often driven by causes that help to make the world a better place.
Order DNA origin analysisTelfer: Where does the name Telfer come from?
The last name Telfer is mostly found in Scotland and northern England, in places such as Fife, Aberdeenshire, North and West Yorkshire, and the Scottish Borders. It is likely that the surname came into existence in that area long ago, perhaps derived from a location or occupation. The population of people with the last name is very small however, with estimates of only a few thousand people bearing the surname worldwide.
In Scotland and England, Telfer can be found in many small villages and towns, such as Leitholm, Cursiter, Akeld, Belford, and Yetholm. Those with the surname in the United States are much more widespread. There is no national concentration center, as people in different areas could easily have migrated from different origins. In the U.S., the last name is historically associated with Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, and Texas.
The Telfer last name is still popular today in terms of the number of people who bear it as their surname, but there is little distinctive culture associated with it. “Telfer” as a first name is highly uncommon however, and those with the surname might not have any family ties to those who came before them.
Variations of the surname Telfer
The surname Telfer has many variants, spellings, and surnames that are of the same origin. The variants of the name include Talford, Tailferd, Talphard, Tailfard, Telfard, and Thalfard. The Telfer spelling is found mostly in English speaking countries.
The French spelling is Taillefer and may be used by those with Norman French ancestry. The tal phoneme is found in other French names, such as Taillebois and Tailleville.
The Scottish variation of Telfer is Thilfer. The surname MacThilfer is used by many people of Scottish descent. In Scotland, the Tal phoneme is also found in Talbot and Taillie.
The name Tilly is also a variant of Telfer. The name originates from Flemish and Dutch with the form Tilley and Tilleyer. The pronunciation in Flemish is Til-lee-er.
In Lowland Scots and Irish it is Teelor and Telor, respectively. This variation was brought to the United States when Irish and Scots immigrated, often anglicizing the name to Taylor. This is commonly seen among African American families.
Overall, the surname Telfer has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Depending on region of origin and language, the spelling of the name could be almost any combination of the six vowel and four consonant phonemes.
Famous people with the name Telfer
- David Telfer: Scottish footballer who has played for a variety of clubs, including Rangers, Motherwell, and Hamilton Academical.
- Michael Telfer: British actor who has appeared in a variety of British television shows, including Cold Feet, Casualty, and The Bill.
- Glenn Telfer: Hong Kong-based writer and director, as well as an executive producer for the upcoming television series Insomnia.
- Nigel Telfer: English journalist and former political correspondent for the Sunday Times.
- Tom Telfer: Former professional soccer player from Scotland who played for various clubs in England, Scotland, and USA.
- Frank Telfer: Professional golfer from Scotland who won the Sunbrella Masters in 1994.
- Henry Telfer: Canadian actor, director, and playwright, best known for his work in the musical theatre industry.
- Louisa Telfer: British singer and songwriter most well-known for her debut album Nothing Left to lose.
- Nick Telfer: British stand-up comedian with a long-standing residency at the Comedy Café in London.
- Mark Telfer: New Zealand born artist who studied painting at the University of Canterbury and has since exhibited his works in galleries throughout the country.