This unusual name is well recorded in England from the early 17th Century but not before. This suggests that the name is an "emigre" and this conjecture is almost certainly confirmed by Reistapps Armourial General which records the "Le Saffin" family of Aginais, in France, holding a Coat of Arms being "Two Red Lions Rampant on a Gold Field". The name derives from "Saffran" and means a Dealer or Grower of Spices. The name spelling in England includes Saffon, Saphin, Saffin, Saffen etc.. Elizabeth Saffin being recorded as marrying John Evans on November 24th 1698 at St. Dunstans, Stepney. It is possible that she was related to the original name holder. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ellen Saffon, which was dated 1628, who married Thomas Rould at St. Dunstans, during the reign of King Charles 1, known as "The Martyr" 1625 - 1649. 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.