Show ContentsKiff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Kiff family

The surname Kiff was first found in Silesia, where the family gained a significant reputation for its contributions to the emerging mediaeval society. As an occupational name, the name was derived from the German word "dial" which means "copper." The German word "kufe" means "Barrel" and as such, the name is a cognitive of the English name "Cooper." Alternatively, the name could have been a topographic name for someone who lived in a pine forest, derived from the German word "Kiefer" which means "pine."

Early History of the Kiff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kiff research. Another 38 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1265, 1293, 1381 and 1397 are included under the topic Early Kiff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kiff Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kiefer, Kiefner, Kufer, Kufler, Kufner, Kuffner, Kaufner, Kief, Kifer, Kieffer, Kieferle, Kieferl, Kiferlin, Kiever, Kiver, Kiverle, Kiverli, Kieferli, Kiffer, Kyfer, Kyefer, Kyffer, Kyferle and many more.

Early Notables of the Kiff family

More information is included under the topic Early Kiff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Kiff migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kiff Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Kiff, (Kaif, Keefe), (b. 1810), aged 32, English ploughman who was convicted in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 4th October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 1
  • Mr. Thomas Kiff, (b. 1807), aged 35, English ploughman who was convicted in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England for 10 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 4th October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1843 1


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-gray


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