The Taifals or Tayfals (Latin: Taifali, Taifalae or Theifali) are a people group of Germanic or Sarmatian origin, first documented north of the lower Danube in the mid third century CE.
They experience an unsettled and fragmented history, for the most part in association with various Gothic peoples, and alternately fighting against or for the Romans.
In the late fourth century some Taifali are settled within the Roman Empire, notably in western Gaul in the modern province of Poitou.
They subsequently supplied mounted units to the Roman army and continue to be a significant source of cavalry for early Merovingian armies.
By the sixth century, their region of western Gaul has acquired a distinct identity as Thifalia.
