<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-12-21</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>2007-12-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>34.45</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>60.48</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1489.8589</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>2007-12-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2007-12-21
0
0000096943
TELEFLEX INC
TFX
0001226612
VON SELDENECK JUDITH M
2005 MARKET STREET
SUITE 3300
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
1
0
0
0
Common Stk Deferred
2007-12-21
4
A
0
34.45
60.48
A
1489.8589
D
Shares acquired pursuant to the Teleflex Incorporated
Deferred Compensation Plan.
Sherrie L. Hedrick with POA for Reporting Person
2007-12-21