Cerf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Cerf derives from the Low German word "korb," which meant "basket." As a surname, Cerf was originally occupational, used for a maker or vendor of baskets.

Early Origins of the Cerf family

The surname Cerf was first found in Westphalia, where the family became noted for its many branches within the region, many houses acquiring a status and influence which rivaled that of the landed aristocracy. In their later history some branches were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they distinguished themselves through their contributions to the social, political, and economic developments of the nation. Individual bearers of the name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Henricus Corf, a knight who was raised into the noble class of Westphalia in 1241.

Early History of the Cerf family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cerf research. Another 324 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1380, 1483, 1578, 1692, 1697, 1734, 1740, 1766 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Cerf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cerf Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Cerf include Korff, Korf, Corff, Corf, Koerff, Koerf, Coerff, Coerf, Kerf, Kerff, Cerf, Cerff, Korfer, Korffer, Koerffer, Koerfer, Korver, Koever, Coever and many more.

Early Notables of the Cerf family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cerf Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cerf Ranking

In France, the name Cerf is the 7,140^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 1

Cerf migration to the United States +

For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them:

Cerf Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Cerf, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 2
Julius Cerf, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Cerf (post 1700) +

Vinton Gray "Vint" Cerf (b. 1943), American Internet pioneer, one of "the fathers of the Internet", recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Citations +

http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)