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![Show Contents]() Korffer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
The name Korffer derives from the Low German word "korb," which meant "basket." As a surname, Korffer was originally occupational, used for a maker or vendor of baskets. Early Origins of the Korffer familyThe surname Korffer 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 Korffer familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Korffer 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 Korffer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Korffer 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 Korffer 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 Korffer familyAnother 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Korffer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Korffer familyAfter 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: Henrich Korff, a Hessian soldier on record in North America in 1777; Gerrit Korver, who arrived in Iowa in 1856; Joseph Korff, who landed in Philadelphia in 1804.
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