Find out how popular the last name Calfy is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Calfy.

Calfy, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Calfy surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Calfy in America

Calfy is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Calfy surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Calfy.

The history of the last name Calfy

The surname Calfy traces its origins to England, with the earliest references appearing in the medieval period, around the 12th century. It is primarily concentrated in the regions of Sussex and Kent. The name is believed to derive from the Old English word "calf," which means a young cow. The suffix "y" may have been added to signify belonging or association, effectively meaning "keeper or owner of calves."

The earliest recorded instances of the surname appear in various medieval documents and land records. For example, the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex in 1185, where a John Calfy is mentioned as a landholder. Additionally, the surname appears in the Assize Rolls of Kent in 1221, listing a Richard Calfy in a judicial context.

One of the earliest historical references of the Calfy surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which include a William Calfy. By the 15th century, the name appears in more diverse records, including wills and court documents. In 1453, a Thomas Calfy is documented in the Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, related to a land dispute.

In the 16th century, the surname Calfy appears in parish registers. An example is the christening of Anne Calfy in 1587 in the parish of St. Peter and St. Paul in Kent. Another notable individual is Robert Calfy, recorded as a juror in Sussex during the year 1542, who played a role in the local governance of that period.

Moving into the 17th century, one notable bearer of the surname is Sir Henry Calfy, born in 1610 and died in 1678, who served as a member of Parliament for a brief period during the English Civil War. His contributions to the political landscape were significant, though his family line did not continue prominently in public records thereafter.

Finally, the name also appears in maritime records of the 18th century. James Calfy, a ship captain born in 1720, was recorded in the Admiral’s Logs of 1763. He was known for his voyages to the West Indies and his trading enterprises, signifying the spread and influence of the surname beyond its original geographic confines.

Overall, the surname Calfy has a rich historical footprint, appearing in various forms and records over the centuries, from feudal England to the expanding British Empire. Each reference provides a snapshot into the life and times of those who bore this distinctive name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Calfy

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Calfy.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Calfy was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Calfy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Calfy, please contact us.

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