The
Anglo-Saxon name Calf comes from
Calf, a variant of the Old Norse
personal name Kalfr, which means
calf. However, several alternative interpretations exist. The name may be of
nickname origin, derived from the Old English
cealf which means calf, indicating
one thought to possess the characteristics of a calf.Early Origins of the Calf family
The surname Calf was first found in
Lincolnshire, where they held a
family seat from ancient times.
Early History of the Calf family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Calf research.
Another 479 words (34 lines of text) covering the years 1163, 1176, 1273, 1273, 1500, 1605 and 1738 are included under the topic Early Calf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Calf Spelling Variations
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The
spelling variations under which the name Calf has appeared include Calf, Calfe, Cauf, Caufe, Calffe and others.
Early Notables of the Calf family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Calf Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Calf family to Ireland
Some of the Calf family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Calf family to the New World and Oceana
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in
England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left
England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Calf arrived in North America very early:
Calf Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Daniel Calf, who landed in Boston in 1765
Calf Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
- King Calf, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750