This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Taillefer,' i.e. cutiron. This surname seems to have originally flourished in the Lowlands, and to have worked its way across the border into Northumberland. The corruption into Telford must not lead us astray, although it looks distinctly local. 'Thomas Telford, the great engineer, used to say, "When I was ignorant of Latin, I did not suspect that Telfor, my true name, might be translated, 'I bear arms and, thinking it unmeaning, adopted Telford "' (Lower). In the neighbourhood of Newcastle the two forms are common, and in recent generations either form was used by people of the same stock. John Taylfar, in 1558, obtained a grant from the Bishop of Durham of the reversion of the office of seneschal in the cities and boroughs of Gateshead, Durham, &c, expectant on the death of Christopher Browne (PPP. ii. 334). This is the earliest instance I can find in the district On Nov. 1, 1696, twenty-eight people were drowned at Canoubie, after attending church. Reference is made to one in an inscription in the churchyard:

'Here lyes George Tealfer, who died in the water, Nov. the 1, 1696, being the Lord's day, as they were going home from the Kirk': Trans. Cumb. and Westm. Ant. and Arch. Soc.Stolen from Fore bears

The famous Taillefer of the battle of Hastings will be familiar to the reader. Lower says that Tailzefer was the Scotch form in the 16th century. compare Gulliver and Gulliford.

William Tailefer, Kent, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Taylthe Frenchde Wyncestre, Hertfordshire., 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

From NF. taillefer, 'cut iron,' perhaps a trade name. The name Taillefer was common about the tenth and eleventh centuries. It is most familiar to us as the name of the jongleur who sang the Song of Roland at the opening of the battle of Hastings (Wace, Le Roman de Rou, 1827 ed., p. 214-215). "in Latin deeds and chronicles it is usually rendered as Sector-Ferri, but in other cases as Ferrum-Sector, or Scindens-Ferrum, or Incisor-Ferri." (Folk-lore, VII, p. 256). Willelmus Tailfer witnessed a charter by Margaret, countess of Buchan, in favor of the Abbey of Arbroath, c. 1210 (RAA., I, p. 94). William Tailfere had confirmation of a charter of the land of Hareclouche in the sheriffdom of Lanark in 1369 (RMS., I, 322), and the Tailfairs of Haircleugh are in record for more than three hundred years. Andrea Taillefere, 'clericus cancellarie,' was a charter witness at Inverkeithing in 1413 (RMS., I, 947), John Talzefir was scutifer to Sir William Bothwell in 1450 (LSC., 124), and Lourence Talliefere, Scottish merchant, had a safe conduct into England in 1464 (Bain, IV, 1343). Thomas Tailyefair was burgess of Stirling in 1476 (SBR., p. 257), John Tailfeyr and Laurence Taillefere were burgesses of Edinburgh in 1484 (REG., 433,435), and Arthur Talliefere had a pension from the great customs of Edinburgh in 1527 (RSS., I, 3665). Sir Alexander Talifar was prebendary of Holy Trinity of Edinburgh in 1529 (Saltre, p. 211), and Laurence Talliefeire was treasurer of Dunkeld in 1539 (SCM., IV, p. 32). Arthur Taillefere de Crechmond, a witness in 1547, may be the Master Arthur Talzefere, canon of Aberdeen in 1549 (REA., II, p. 319; Statutes Scot. Church, p. 88). Cuthbert Tailliefeir was servant to Tuedy of Dreva in 1592 (RPC., IV, p. 743), William Tailyeffer was banished from Stirling in 1611 (SBR., p. 129), Alexander Tailliepheir was heir of Bethia Oliphant in 1643 (Inquts., 2849), and Charles Teilfeire was master of a family in the parish of Borgue in 1684 (RPC., 3. ser. IX, p. 569). Tailefeir 1551, Tailfair 1676, Tailleiere 1558, Tailliefeir 1632, Tailyefeir 1653, Tailyhefalr, 1531, Tailyiefeir 1632, Tailzefair 1621, Tailzefeir 1567, Tailzefer 1482, Tailziefeir 1657, Talfeir 1599, Talliefer 1550, Talliefere 1526, Talyefer 1512, Talzefer 1403, Tyllefer 1525, Telferr 1689, Telfier 1686, Telfure 1688, Telpher 1599; Telzepher.

From Telfer with accretionary d. Margaret Telfuird in Ponfeich, parish of Carmichael, 1674 (Lanark CR.). Thomas Telford (1757-1834), the engineer, when he first attended school was registered as Telfer. Tellfoord 1728.

V. Talfer, Talfor.

“Cut Iron” in Old French (Taillefer).

(English) One who cut iron.

##### (English) One who made or sold linen cloth.

French taille-fer. A name of great antiquity. The exploits of the noble jouglere Taillefer at the battle of Hastings are well-known. William, Count ' of Angoulesme, in a battle against the Northmen, engaged their king Storis, and with one stroke of his sword Dmrissima, forged by the great Wayland Smith, cut in two his body and cuirass. Hence he acquired the sobriquet of Taillefer, or "cut iron." In the XVI. cent. the name in Scotland was written Tailzefer.

I find no locality so called. Thomas Telford, the great engineer, used to say-"When I was ignorant of Latin, I did not suspect that Telfer, my true name, might be translated, "I bear arms," [Tela fero?] and, thinking it unmeaning, adopted Telford." See Telfer.

Local. The narrow or straightened pass or way, from the Welsh tel, tight, and ford, a way. Anglo—Saxon, Tillford, at the ford or shallow place in a river. "At—ill—ford,"corrupted to Tilford.

William, Fulco, Robert Taillefer or Tallefer, Normandy 1180-95 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); Ralph Taillefer, Engl. 1202 (Rotulus Cancellarii).

From Telford; a location name in Kent Or from the Old Norse,-Fr. Taillefer; a personal name.