Tiffin

One of the most interesting surnames and deriving from the latin "Theophania" which means "the manifestation of God" or "the Epiphany". The French form of the word was "Tiphaie" and this became a Baptisimal female name anglicised in the 12th Century as Tiffany, Tiffen of Tiffin and given to one born on the day of Epiphany (January 6th). One of the medieval mystery rhymes runs "Megge Meddywedyr and Sabyn Sprynge Tiffany Tnykeler fayle for no thynge". The name development has included William Tyffen (1524, Suffolk) and Nicholas Tiffin (1674, The Hearth Tax Records Suffolk). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilbert Tyffayne. which was dated 1288, The Abbey of Ramsey, Norfolk. during the reign of King Edward I, The Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.