COFFEY Family History

This famous Irish surname is recorded in many spellings including O'Coffey, O'Coffie, O'Cohey, Coffee, Coffey, Coshey and Cowhiy. It is an Anglicized form of the pre 10th century Gaelic O' Cobhthaigh, meaning the descendant of "Cobhthaigh", the latter being a tribal personal name translating as "The victorious one", no doubt a reference to a legendary warrior of ancient times. There were three main septs in Ireland making up the clan. The first sept belongs to "Corca Laoidh" or South West Cork, where local pronunciation produced the spelling forms Cowhig and Cowhey. It is claimed that the Cork sept is of the same stock as the great sea-faring clan O' Driscoll, although quite why this should be so is one of the mysteries of Irish mythology...

Who have we missed?

Tell us about any famous COFFEY (or surname variant) you think we should add here. We will get our genealogists to check them out and add them to the list. Thanks!

MEET

Join the conversation with the COFFEY tribe

Find your COFFEY ancestor
Tell us about your COFFEY Family
Tell us about your COFFEY ancestors
Ask a question about the COFFEY history
Leave a message for COFFEY family members

Coffey

Looking for my Uncle Kevin who may be going by the old irish (Caoimhin Ó Cobhthaigh). Kevin was one of 6 children born to John Coffey and Eva Birtwell (the children thought her name was Holland not Birtwell) They lived in Oswaldtwistle Lancashire Eng and all the siblings were born there except Kevin who was born in Oz. My father Francis Michael was Kevin's oldest sibling. Kevin was a university professor and in the 1970's was living in France. We believe he may be going by the old Irish version and living in Ireland somewhere.........Kevin Gordon Coffey (Canada)

Anthony Barrett

(Part 1 of 3) The Coffey name has a long history in Ireland, but now DNA and some recorded history says its origin is from the north-west region of the Emerald Island. The Coffey story [dominated by DNA tribal marker R1b-L513, Subgroup D2] can trace their beginnings to the Finn Valley in Donegal, Ireland from 50 BCE. Perhaps the journey begins with the Clanna Dedad; Deda, son of Sen or Deda Mac Sin. The Coffey surname origin is from the Cenél Conaill [R1b-L513, Subgroup D] who found the Dál Fiatach.

Anthony Barrett

(Part 2 of 3) A group will also found the Kingdom of Ercing in Wales as trade with Romans will become essential around 300 CE. But how could this be? Recent discoveries from DNA testing are unlocking the migration patterns of Celtic tribes as late as 800 CE to 1200 CE. The Coffey story begins in pre-history Ireland but this line and many of his kin will move to Wales, then travel to Brittany, France during the Dark Ages.

Anthony Barrett

(Part 3 of 3) Discover their newly found untold story and how forgotten texts bring their story back to life. From the ebook, “The Tribe Within” learn how DNA unfolds this amazing tale and if you look in the right places, how history narrates this evidence. There is another written account of their story, but it is camouflaged in smoke and myth – it will become the tales of King Arthur. Come follow in the footsteps of Deda Mac Sin and visit https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/401207