Surname von Korff - Meaning and Origin
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von Korff: What does the surname von Korff mean?
The last name von Korff is a German aristocratic surname that descended from an aristocratic family who had their origins in the dukedom of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. According to genealogical sources, the name refers to a noble family in the region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northern Germany. The family was descended from the ancient noble house of Korff, which was itself founded in the 12th century by Count Heinrich von Korff, who was appointed governor of the Archbishopric of Brandenburg.
The name von Korff indicates that the family was part of the expatriated ruling class, as its members were granted access to estates and holdings, which were then passed down through the generations. The family likely had a close association with the Mecklenburg ducal family, who were in power until the end of the German imperial period. The name could also signal the family's German nationalist sympathies, as many of these people were loyal to the German monarchy.
Throughout the centuries, the von Korff family had their share of distinguished members. They had a long and illustrious history in the region and were close both to the ducal court and to high-ranking administrative offices. Some of its members also reached high military ranks in the German military and were knighted by the kings and emperors of the day.
The von Korff family has had a lasting impact on the region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with its name still standing for respect and nobility. Today, the very few remaining members of the von Korff family still serve as a reminder of the family's history and legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Korff: Where does the name von Korff come from?
The last name von Korff is most commonly associated with Germany and Northern Europe today. It is believed that the name originated in the former Prussian province of Pomerania (now German territory). Records show that the first bearer of the name was Johannes Korff, born circa 1630 in Cammin, Pomerania.
The von Korff surname can still be found around Germany and Northern Europe today, particularly in Pomerania, Prussia, and modern-day Germany. The von Korff surname may also be found in Poland and Russia, likely due to the large migrations of German, Polish, and Russian people from one country to another over the centuries.
The von Korff name can also be found in the United States and other regions of the world today, as there were several emigrations from Northern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. There have been notable bearers of the von Korff name in the United States, including the Corsair fighter pilot Rudolph von Korff, who fought in the Second World War.
The von Korff name may also still be found in Germany today, where it is likely to be used in the same phenomenon as it is in the United States: preservation of the family's Prussian heritage. Ultimately, the last name von Korff can still be found all over the world today.
Variations of the surname von Korff
Von Korff is a German surname originating in the 18th century. Its variants, spellings, and interchangeable surnames include Korf, Körf, Koorf, Koorff, Korffs, Korff, Körff, Korfs, Korffs, Köhrf, Körfs, Koorfchen, and Koorffchen.
Originally, the surname von Korff designated noble status and members of the German nobility were known as Freiherr vom und zum Korff, Freiherr meaning baron in the German language. The original variant, Korf, was derived from 'Korff' with the 'f' becoming a 'v.' This is an example of German dialectal renditions of a surname, Korf being the most common variant of Korff even today.
Sporadically, the surname von Korff was also modified to Körff when a letter 'ö' was added to the spelling. Interchangeable surnames – Korffs and Koorff – were also adopted as members of the family emigrated out of Germany and settled into different countries.
Korfs, Köhrf, and Körfs can be found in North and South America. Similarly, variants such as Koorfchen and Koorffchen are also seen in countries such as Mexico. A spelling variation found in Denmark is the variant Korffs.
Over the course of time and through immigration, the variants, spellings and surnames of von Korff have seen transformations, creating its own family tree. However, the authenticity and standards of the original spelling of von Korff remain and are used around the world by its descendants.
Famous people with the name von Korff
- Heinrich Georg von Korff (1745-1802): a German political figure from the 18th century. He was a member of the Prussian court and acted as a representative of the Prussian Crown, representing Prussia in various foreign negotiations and embassies throughout the European continent.
- Charles von Korff (November 3, 1808: October 14, 1889): a German military officer and court chamberlain in the Kingdom of Hanover.
- Kurt von Korff (1820: December 24, 1898): a German merchant, politician and entrepreneur. He was the founder of the prestigious von Korff trading company.
- Johanna von Korff (1823–1904): She was a German grand duchess and the eldest child of the Grand Duke Charles III of Hesse-Katzbach and Charlotte Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach.
- Friedrich von Korff (1848: December 6, 1889): He was a German physician and chemist who rose to becoming a professor at the University of Marburg. He is remembered mainly for his work on the chemical structure of carbohydrates.
- Friedrich-Karl von Korff (1852–1923): a German banker and financial advisor. He was the financier, advisor and right-hand man of numerous German emperors and other members of the royal family.
- August von Korff (1864-1950): a German-born art collector and philanthropist who made a major contribution to the art scene in Paris during the early 20th century.
- Werner von Korff (1882–1963): a German scientist, art collector and forest ranger. He is best remembered for his studies of tree biology, soil science and forestry.