Reffell Family Stories

Every family has some stories passed down through the years and the Reffell family is no exception. Sometimes such stories are based on real facts, albeit somewhat distorted over the years. Other stories can be the figment of somebody's fertile imagination! Here we examine some of the Reffell family stories accumulated over the years.

• The Reffell family were Huguenots - It is believed that the surname of Reffell is probably Huguenot in origin and originally came from the continent following the Protestant oppressions, perhaps as early as the 17th century. One of the trades that the Huguenots brought with them was brewing (see below). It was interesting that the Huguenot brewers from Europe were viewed with some suspicion for using hops as a foreign adulteration of English Ale, which at that time was brewed without hops.
• There were a number of breweries in the Reffell family - Absolutely true! There were three Reffell breweries.
• There was a Reffell who was assistant paymaster on the Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar - Possibly. However it has not been possible to identify who it may have been. What is true is that in one branch of the family the first names 'Horatio' and 'Nelson' appear down many generations. There was also Edward Forrester Reffell who amongst many other things, was an assistant paymaster on a number of ships over fourty years later.
• There used to be money in the Reffell family, where has it gone? - It is true that certain parts of the family have been relatively rich for their time, some of the farmers for example left quite reasonable sums of money in their wills. However, some in the family have been made bankrupt, whilst others have died in the workhouse. If you are aware of any outstanding estates seeking a beneficiary, please contact this website!
• There was a royal connection in the family - Unlikely, although there was Madame Caballero who was (ahem...) associated with some very prominent people including the Prince Regent. When she died in 1877 her estate was valued at over £20m at today's prices, which after a House of Lords appeal went outside the Reffell family.