Surname Kephart - Meaning and Origin
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Kephart: What does the surname Kephart mean?
The last name Kephart is of Scottish and German origin. It is derived from the German word "Kepfer", which means 'cooper', or someone who makes barrels, buckets, and other vessels out of wood or metal. The name was originally spelled Kepfer, but underwent a change in spelling in 1617 when a German immigrant moved to Scotland.
The Kephart spelling has a long history in Scotland. Some of the earliest recorded occurrences of the name can be traced back to the 13th-century when Adam Kephart was recorded as owning land in the Scottish Borders. It was later adopted by the Lowland Clans in the 16th-century and remains a popular surname in Scotland today.
The Kepharts of Scotland have played an influential role in the history of the country. During the Scottish civil wars of the 17th-century, several Kepharts were prominent political figures in the conflict between the Royalists and the Covenanters. In more recent times, William Kephart, an American scientist, is known for his work in creating underwater vehicles that helped the United States Navy discover mines during World War II.
The Kephart name is a reminder of Scotland's rich history and the hard-working, innovative people who have come from Scotland and made a lasting contribution to the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKephart: Where does the name Kephart come from?
The last name Kephart is most commonly associated with the United States, particularly in the southern and midwestern parts of the country. Specifically, it is one of the top 200 surnames in Ohio, Indiana, among other states. It is also found in southern Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Arkansas.
The last name Kephart is believed to be of German origin, with the earliest known records of the name being recorded in 1450. It is believed to derive from the German word “kempfer”, which means battle or champion. It is also related to the German word “Kufert” or “Kepfert”, which means barrel-maker.
The name is still very common today, particularly in German-American families who have been in the United States for generations. It can also be found in the records of immigrants from other countries, such as the Netherlands, Bosnia, and Turkey. Overall, the last name Kephart is a fairly common and widely distributed last name in the United States.
Variations of the surname Kephart
Kephart is an American surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word Köpf, which means head. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Keef, Kaef, Keeffe, Keefe, Kief, Kieff, Kiefe, Kiefer, Kif, Koffer, Koffler, Coffer, and Cofferati. The spelling may also vary depending on the language, dialect, and region, such as Köpf in German and Köfler in German-Austrian dialects.
The earliest forms of this name were found in Germany as Köpf, Kiefer, and Köfler; while the spelling of Kephart is believed to have evolved from the Scottish and English dialects.
In Ireland, Kephart is taken from the Gaelic O'Tadhg, which has been anglicized to Tygh, Teeg, and Teague. Variants and surnames of the same origin include MacTeeg, MacTeague, McTyghe, McTague, and McTeeg.
In the United States, the spelling variants have been found with the help of US Census records. Examples include Kephart, Kepherd, Kephird, Keefer, Keef, Kiif, Kiff, Kieffer, Koffer, and Koffler.
The surname is common among persons of American ancestry, as it can be found in all states in the US, as well as in Canada and other countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Kephart
- Emma Kephart: professional snowboarder
- Jack Kephart: former NFL football player
- Richard Kephart: former US congressman
- David Kephart: video game designer and entrepreneur
- Eric Kephart: TV host and reality star
- Drake Kephart: American magician and mentalist
- William Kephart: classical composer
- Robert Kephart: CEO and chairman of the board at General Electric
- George Kephart: former US ambassador to the United Nations
- Sheila Kephart: former American actress