The Neff Family

Variations: Naef, Näf, Naff, Nave, Neave, Neef, Neve

According to Eldson C. Smith, author of American Family Names (published by Harper and Row, 1973), the above spelling are variations of the name "Neff." The book also states that this German name means "a nephew."

A Hans Heinrich NEFF* was born around 1684 in Duhren, Germany. He died in Apr. 1745 in Lancaster County, Pa. He married a woman named Franca ??? who was a stepmother to (some of?) his children: John Henry (A1), Johannes Jacob (A2), Catherine* (A3), Abraham (A4) and Esther (A5).

Second Generation
A1 John Henry NEFF was born in 1705 and died 8 Jun. 1784.

A2 Johannes (Hans) Jacob NEFF was born in 1709 and died 1 Feb. 1716/7.

A3 Catherine NEFF* was born 15 May 1711 in Bonfield, Germany. She was married in 1733 to Hans Michael PFAUTZ* (See PFAUTZ for their descendants and Hans' ancestry). She died 2 March 1789 in Warwick, Pa.

A4 Abraham NEFF was born around 1719 and he died around 1793.

A5 Esther NEFF was born around 1724 and she died about 1750.