It’s an old Virginia (and NC) name going back to the 17th century, several by that name served in the Revolutionary War. One Richard Taliaferro served under Joseph Winston at Guilford Courthouse along with my fourth and fifth great grandfathers, who were neighbors of Winston. Taliaferro died and was buried there. It’s an honorable name. Too bad it sounds as if the fellow you describe doesn’t live up to it, but that happens sometimes.