This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Theophania' (i.e. Epiphany), popularly Tiffany, the pet form being Tiffen and Tiffin. Of course the thin gauzy fabric known as tiffany has the same origination. One of our old mysteries include: 'Megge Merrywedyr, and Sabyn Tiffany' The font-name is found in Cornwall in the 17th century:

1600. Baptised — Tiffeny, d. of Harry Hake: St. Columb Major.

1695. — Epipheney, d. of Humthe French Oxnam: ibid.

A curious entry meets us in the Testa de Neville (Hen. III-Edward I): 'Thephanya Hugo de Harington, prior de Gisebum.' It reads strangely like a double font-name, a custom supposed to be unknown then. It is a man's name, too. All my instances are feminine. Possibly it was his spiritual name.Stolen from Fore-bears

Tiffonia de Karduil, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill sive Liber feodorum in Curia Scaccarii. Temp. Henry III & Edward I.

Theofania de Bolebek, Close Rolls, 46 Henry III.

Thifania Simroe, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Cristina Typhayn, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Johannes Holand et Tiffan uxor ejus, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Teffan Danyll, 1379: ibid.

Nicholas fil. Tiffaniae. Excerpta e Rotulis Finium in Turri Londinensi.

Tyffanie Seamor. temp. Elizabeth: Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I.

Teffania de Wildeker. Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinesi.

John Tyffyn, 1536: Register of the University of Oxford.

1540. Married — Robert Yerson and Isabell Tyffenne: St. Peter, Cornhill.

1632. — Edward Somes and Mary Tiffin: St. Antholin (London).

1750. — Whitelock More and Ann Tiphaine: St. George, Hanover Square.

This name was introduced into Britain by the Normans, with whom it was a favorite. Although found occasionally in England before 1066 its use then was due really to Christian tradition, Stephen (Stephanos) having been the first Christian martyr after Christ. Stephen, diaconus, witnessed a charter by Bishop Edward, c. 1150-71 (RPSA., p. 297). James Stephen, provost and merchant in Elgin, 1780 (Moray). Thomas Stephen published his History of the Church of Scotland in 4 v. (1843-45). In Scotland the name exists in the more common form Steven, which see.

(Anglo-French-Latin-Greek)DiviNE Showing [French Tiphaine, Théophanie, Latin Theophania, GreekΘεοφάνία-Θεóς, God + a derivative of φαίνειν, to show] Cristina Typhayn.—Soms. Subs. Roll, A.D. 1327.

This name seems to have been given to a child (of either sex) born on Epiphany Day (6th Jan.).

(English) Descendant of Tiffany (name given to child born on Epiphany Day, January 6), or a pet form of Theophania (manifestation of God).

This scripture name, like many others, was not introduced here until the Norman Conquest, after which we find it in the form of Fitz-Stephen. It occupies a large place among our surnames in the usual genitive forms of Stephens. Stevens, Steevens, Stephenson, Stevenson, &c. A nicked or abbreviated form furnishes us with our Steen. Steenson, Stimson, Stimpson, Stinson, Stibbs: perhaps also Stubbs, Steff, Stiff, and Stennett. Tiffany and Tiffin, from Stephanus, belong to the same category.

Honor.

A maker or vender of silk. Tiffany was a sort of light silk used by painters to trace the outlines of a picture through.

From Stephen. Hence also Tiffin, Tiffen, and Stiff. Roquefort renders the Old French tiphaine, tiphagne, tiphaingne, la fête de l'Epiphanie, le jour des Rois, du Grec. επιφανεια.