Surname Coffie - Meaning and Origin
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Coffie: What does the surname Coffie mean?
The last name Coffie is an Americanized variation of the surname "Caffey”, which is derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Duinnshléibhe". This Gaelic name originated from the old Irish word "dun" which translates to "fort" or "castle". The surname Coffie therefore indicates a clan that was either descended from an individual who held a fort or castle, or who lived near a fort or castle.
At least two Cork families have held the name Coffie, and are believed to be related to the O'Donovans of West Cork. The first occurrence of the surname Coffie is particularly noteworthy because the surname Caffey appears to predate the name Coffie in Cork. Additionally, all bearers of the Coffie surname share common ancestors, as the name is restricted to a single family.
The name Coffie is associated with a sense of strength and bravery, and the fort or castle association is a reminder of the family's proud history. The Coffies have played an important role in Cork's history, and the name is a meaningful part of the region's legacy. The surname also evokes a sense of Jewish heritage as “Duinnshléibhe” is translated as “Son of Levite” in Hebrew.
Order DNA origin analysisCoffie: Where does the name Coffie come from?
The last name Coffie is most commonly found today in the West African countries of Ghana and Liberia. In Ghana, more than 50,000 people carry the name Coffie, making it the 44th most common surname in the country. In Liberia, the name is less widespread, but still present in a significant number of individuals—the surname ranks 211th must populous.
Coffie is believed to be an Akan name, and many historians suggest it means “A Giver of Life”. It is possible that, if Coffie is an Akan name, it is derived from the Akan words, 'ko-firi', meaning “red or evergreen palm fronds”, which were symbols of connection to the spirit world.
The spelling of Coffie varies from place to place. In Ghana, the name is often spelled Coffey, while Liberians generally spell it Coffie. Other variations that can be found include Koffie, Koffi, Koffy, Kofi, Koffey, and Cofi. It is also quite common for individuals with the last name Coffie to hyphenate the spelling, with Coffie-Annan and Coffie-Dunn being two well-known examples.
No matter what spelling is used, the name Coffie is associated with strong family connections and a binding heritage. It's deeply rooted in the histories of both Liberia and Ghana, and it has also spread to many other countries, like the United States, England, France, and even Australia.
Variations of the surname Coffie
The surname Coffie has many variants and spellings in different languages and cultures. Some of the more common variations of Coffie include Coffey, Coffy, Coffey, Coffay, Coffee, Caffey, Caffy, Cafey, Caffie, Caffay, and Cofey. Other spellings of the name include Coffée, Coffé, Coffei, Coffei, Caffe, Caffei, Cofie, Cofe, Caffi, Cofi, Cofei, Cofer, Coffel, and Coffel.
Different cultures have also developed different variations of the name. For example, in the Spanish language the surname is sometimes spelled as Cafiero, and sometimes as Coffee while in Irish it is more commonly spelled Coffey. In German, the Coffie surname can be seen spelled as Koff, Kauf, Kaule, Kaul, Kahl, Koffen, and Koffman. In Russian, the surname is sometimes spelled as Koffeev while in Dutch it can also be seen spelled as Koffie or Koffy.
There are also some surnames that have been derived from Coffie. These derivatives include Coffing, Cohn, Coffman, Koffman, Koffmann, and Coffeeborn. The surname Coffie is not limited to any one particular culture, instead its spelling and variants have evolved throughout the different cultures and language of the world.
Famous people with the name Coffie
- Dede Coffie: An actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, known for his performance in "The Glove That Rocks the Cradle"
- Alonzo Coffie: An American professional basketball player who currently plays for Okapi Aalstar of the Belgian EuroMillions League.
- Ruben Coffie: An American basketball player and coach who was an assistant coach for Long Beach State.
- Stan Coffie: A professional footballer who played as a midfielder for West Ham United.
- Conroy Coffie: An American entrepreneur and investor, best known for his role as chief executive officer of Atlanta-based VC firm Inventure Capital.
- Martin Coffie: A former professional basketball player who played for Latvian team BC Rytas.
- Debbie Coffie: A British actress, known for her roles in films such as "Alice Through the Looking Glass" and TV series such as "Miami Vice."
- Phil Coffie: An English cricketer, who has played for Devon and Cornwall.
- Jimmie Coffie: An American journalist and three-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
- Duane Coffie: An American former football player who played linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs.