Show ContentsNeff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Neff name is habitational, derived from any of several places called Nesse in Oldenburg and Friesland.

Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Middle High German word niesen or the Old High German niosan, meaning "sneeze."

Early Origins of the Neff family

The surname Neff was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in South Holland, a province of Holland, the most crowded province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Rotterdam, Leyden and Shiedam. Noted is the famed castle of Teilengen where Jacqueline of Bavaria is buried. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Neff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Neff research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1645, 1655, 1771 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Neff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neff Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ness, Nes, Nesser, Nesse, Nessen, Nessel, Nest, Nesh, Neste, Netz, Nas, Nass, Nos, Noss and many more.

Early Notables of the Neff family

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

Neff Ranking

In the United States, the name Neff is the 1,749th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Neff is ranked the 5,814th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2


Neff migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Neff Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Balt. Neff, who arrived in America in 1709
  • Frantz Neff, who landed in New York in 1709-1710 3
  • Fred'ch Neff, aged 34, who landed in New York in 1710 3
  • Barbara Ebin Neff, who settled in Pennsylvania sometime between 1710 and 1799
  • Johan Neff, aged 8, who landed in New York in 1710 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Neff Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Johannes Neff, who arrived in America in 1840 3
  • Katharina Neff, who landed in America in 1843 3
  • Peter Neff, aged 28, who landed in America in 1853 3
  • Gg Neff, aged 27, who landed in America in 1854 3
  • Joh Wimar Neff, aged 17, who landed in America in 1883 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Neff (post 1700) +

  • Thomas Lee Neff (1943-2024), American physicist, born in Lake Oswego, Oregon, a physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Pat Morris Neff (1871-1952), American politician from Texas, Governor of Texas 1921–25
  • Marcus Neff (1826-1896), American settler in Oregon, respondent in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Pennoyer v. Neff
  • Jay H. Neff (1854-1915), American newspaper publisher, Mayor of Kansas City 1904–05
  • Jacob H. Neff (1830-1909), American politician, Lieutenant Governor of California 1899–1903
  • John Neff, American investment manager
  • Garrett Neff (b. 1984), American fashion model
  • Wallace Neff (1895-1982), American architect
  • Tom Neff (b. 1953), American film executive, director, and producer
  • Donald Neff, American journalist
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Josef Neff (1921-1941), German Matrose II who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4


Suggested Readings for the name Neff +

  • The Neff-Naf Family by Alfred Neff.
  • Our Neff Heritage by Barbara Neff English.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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)
  4. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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