Heffer Family History

From Middle English heifer heifor (Old English hēafore hēafre) ‘heifer young cow’ apparently attested in the 1327 example. Some of the following bearers may belong with (2) or (3). Variant of Hefford with loss of final -d.

However, the word heifer in (1) also appears from the 16th century as heckforde heckfurthe heffarth and hefforth (OED), so there may have been confusion between several different names which only genealogical research can disentangle.

In SW England, alternatively, perhaps from Heiffers in Witheridge (Devon) with later loss of final -s. The place-name may mean ‘place where furze was cut’ from Old English hīewe ‘cut hewn’ + fyrs ‘furze’.