Surname Körfer - Meaning and Origin
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Körfer: What does the surname Körfer mean?
Körfer is a German surname with several different origins. The name is most commonly found in the region of Lower Saxony.
The first known bearer of the Körfer name is Johann Körfer, a burgher of Dortmund, Westphalia, from 1594. He was not of aristocratic background, but a citizen with the right to bear arms. The family initially derived its name from a place of origin. The village bearing the same name is located near Meppen, a town in the Emsland district in Lower Saxony.
Other sources of the name Körfer have been suggested, such as deriving from a Low German word meaning "check," indicating some ancient family skilled at accounting or banking.
Such records that exist suggest that Körfer's have long been found in the area of Lower Saxony, where the family was involved in the occupations of farming, forestry, and milling. This is evidenced again in the early 19th century when several generations of Körfers are noted as living in the area.
The name has since spread widely and is now especially found in North America where it is used in a variety of immigrant contexts. As a result, the meaning of the name has become rather diluted. Today the surname is simply a reminder of a much more distant past.
Order DNA origin analysisKörfer: Where does the name Körfer come from?
The last name Körfer is commonly associated with Germany and Austria. It is estimated that around 9,000 people in the world bear that name, making it relatively uncommon.
In Germany, the last name is most commonly associated with the city of Mainz, located in the western part of the country. It is believed that the name originated in Mainz, and was likely derived from the Old German word "korver" which referred to a basket maker. Records show that, by the 16th century, the majority of those bearing the name Körfer lived in the Mainz area.
The name Körfer is also popular in Austria, particularly in the states of Tyrol and Carinthia. It is believed that many of those who adopted the name in Austria eventually migrated to other parts of the country and to other countries in Europe, including Germany.
Today, the last name Körfer continues to be spread out across German-speaking parts of Europe and beyond. While it is relatively uncommon, it is still possible to meet someone with the last name Körfer in Germany, Austria, or other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Körfer
Körfer is a German surname originating from the Middle Low German Körfere, meaning a basket weaver, which was adopted as a surname to identify basket-weaving craftsmen. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Körfer include:
1. Kuerfers: This is the Germanic spelling of Körfer that is more commonly seen in early census records.
2. Körfer-Fisser: This spelling, found mostly in Westphalia, is derived from the Fisser family, which was prominent in the area before the 19th century.
3. Körferr: This is a misspelling of Körfer and is sometimes seen in records.
4. Körfert: This is a variation on the original spelling which is often seen in census records.
5. Köfer: This is another commonly used Germanic spelling of Körfer, more commonly seen in early census records.
6. Köffer: This is another variation on the German spelling which is sometimes seen in records.
7. Köffers: This is the plural of Köfer and is occasionally seen in records.
8. Koffers: This is a variation on the English spelling of Körfer, sometimes seen in records.
9. Koffert: This is another variation on the English spelling, occasionally seen in records.
10. Kofert: This is yet another variation of the English spelling which is sometimes seen.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Körfer provide valuable information for those tracing their genealogies or researching German family histories. Knowing the many forms the surname takes can also be very useful when searching through records, particularly older ones.
Famous people with the name Körfer
- Karl Körfer (1844-1908): German philosopher, philologist, and historian.
- Walter Körfer (1895-1970): German opera singer.
- Volker Körfer (born 1945): German clarinetist.
- Markus Körfer (born 1961): German composer and music arranger.
- Angelina Körfer (born 1981): German film actress.
- Philipp Körfer (born 1983): German volleyball player.
- Lena Körfer (born 1985): German beach volleyball player.
- Judith Körfer (born 1986): German TV presenter.
- Robert Körfer (born 1988): German show jumper.
- Lena Körfer (born 1991): German footballer.