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![Show Contents]() Kerf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
The name Kerf derives from the Low German word "korb," which meant "basket." As a surname, Kerf was originally occupational, used for a maker or vendor of baskets. Early Origins of the Kerf familyThe surname Kerf 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 Kerf familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kerf 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 Kerf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kerf Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Kerf 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 Kerf familyAnother 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kerf Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Kerf migration to the United States | + |
After 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them:
Kerf Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Michael Kerf, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1855 1
- 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)
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Kerf migration to the United States 
