-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 I2C6AkJwFgDJDHhh1uRCYgkcBuGXAWfvLCb3AV/KeXVzetLtqpuhWEDF2R31RbeG
 xv50Mcwp6kLo84pafRTfnw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000096943-08-000128.txt : 20080929
<SEC-HEADER>0000096943-08-000128.hdr.sgml : 20080929
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080929105517
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000096943-08-000128
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080926
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080929
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080929

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VON SELDENECK JUDITH M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001226612

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05353
		FILM NUMBER:		081092803

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2005 MARKET ST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19103
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2156563550

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TELEFLEX INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000096943
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				231147939
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 SOUTH LIMERICK ROAD
		STREET 2:		CORPORATE OFFICES
		CITY:			LIMERICK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19468
		BUSINESS PHONE:		610 948-5100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 SOUTH LIMERICK ROAD
		CITY:			LIMERICK
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19468
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f4forjvon.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000096943</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TELEFLEX INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TFX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001226612</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VON SELDENECK JUDITH M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2005 MARKET STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 3300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PHILADELPHIA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stk Deferred</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-09-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>31.18</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>66.81</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1819.5689</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares acquired pursuant to the Teleflex Incorporated  Deferred Compensation Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sherrie L. Hedrick with POA for Reporting Person</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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