Each family connects hundreds of people to form an intricate pattern of ancestors and descendants. Our origins span the world, our families come from all religions and ways of life. The common thread of Heraldry links many cultures and establishes the foundations of a Surname before words were a common understanding and images demonstrated a basic understanding to the populace.
This page represents the following Surnames: Keffer. Keefer. Kiefer.
Heraldry for every family is represented on each page as it has become available through out our research, as a tribute to the historical and evolutionary process that each family has survived. Name definitions are provided for each family as we find a connection to them, through intermarriage or discovery. Scottish, English and Irish families are represented with tartans, badges and other memorabilia as it becomes available to us. We’ve worked very hard at finding the most accurate and appropriate connections for each surname, if you see an error or have more information to add, please contact us via e-mail at CSGS@SnowStones.com.
Keffer Name Meaning and History
Dutch: nickname meaning bug or beetle.
Kiefer Name Meaning and History
German: occupational name for a cooper or the overseer of a wine cellar, from an agent derivative of Middle High German kuofe ‘vat’, ‘barrel’ (from Latin cupa). From an agent derivative of Middle High German kiffen ‘to quarrel’, hence a nickname for a bickerer.
Jewish (Ashkenazic): ornamental name from German Kiefer ‘pine tree’. This word, which is first attested in the early 15th century, is a blend of kien and forhe, both meaning ‘pine’. The two elements still have a separate existence: kieboom is the Dutch term for a pine tree, while in many parts of Germany the word for the tree is Föhre.
Family Crest: 
SCGS Research: A man in a shop in northern France who sold drawn copies of family crests told us that the Beetle was placed on the Keffer crest to represent the type of work the family did. Apparently the Keffers crushed beetles to make dye, in Germany where the family originated. Follow the link below to learn more about Cochineal Beetles and dye.
Additional Resources:
A History of Vaughan Township, Written by G. Elmore Reaman
http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=3583830
Polish Cochineal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_cochineal
The Cochineal Beetle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal
Surname References from:
Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4
Encyclopedia of Surnames, John Ayto, A & C Black Publishers Ltd, ISBN 978 0 7136 8144 4
(Unless otherwise stated)