Kerbs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Kerbs is derived from the Old German word "craft," which means "strong" or "courageous." In the early Middle Ages, Kerbs was a popular first name among knights because it referred to strength. In the early 14th century, a number of branches in southern Germany adopted Kraft or Craft as a family name.

Early Origins of the Kerbs family

The surname Kerbs was first found in Bavaria, where the family made a considerable contribution to the feudal society which shaped modern Europe. The family branched into several houses, all of which played an important role in the local political conflicts which forged the nation. In the early Middle Ages, the name was a popular first name taken on by knights. In the early 14th century, a number of branches in southern Germany developed around Kraft or Craft as a family name. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include the famous minstrel Count Kraft von Toggenburg from the Thurgau region, and Hans Kraft of Wuerzburg (c.1409).

Early History of the Kerbs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kerbs research. Another 314 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1298, 1429, 1507, 1552, 1679, 1749, 1770, 1778, 1805, 1813, 1820 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Kerbs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kerbs 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 Kerbs include Kraft, Krafft, Kraftt, Krafte, Kraffte, Krafter, Kraften, Kraefte, Kraeft, Kreft, Krefte, Craft, Crafft, Crafte, Craffte, Craeft and many more.

Early Notables of the Kerbs family

Prominent among members of the name Kerbs in this period include Adam Krafft (Kraft) (1429-1507), who was a famous Nuremberg sculptor. Some of his work is in the vestry of St. Lawrence cathedral, Nuremberg. Anton Kraft (1749-1820) was a composer and...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kerbs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kerbs migration to the United States +

Between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries, German settlers arrived in North America by the thousands. Persecution based on religion and poverty were great motivators in this large-scale migration. So too was the opportunity for tenant farmers to own their own land. Ample land and opportunity awaited the settlers who went to such states as Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, as well as Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Kerbs or a variant listed above:

Kerbs Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edward Kerbs, aged 35, who landed in America, in 1893
Adolf Kerbs, aged 64, who settled in America, in 1896

Kerbs Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Cather. Kerbs, aged 3, who landed in America from Saratow, in 1903
Elizabeth Kerbs, aged 7, who immigrated to America from Entre Rios, in 1903
Heinrich Kerbs, aged 1, who landed in America from Saratow, in 1903
David Kerbs, aged 17, who settled in America from Oberdorf, in 1906
E. A. Kerbs, aged 42, who immigrated to the United States, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)