Matches in DBpedia 2014 for { ?s ?p Originating in Bäretswil, Switzerland, the Groff family became during the early seventeenth century one of the founding families of both the United States and what was later to become Canada. The original German spellings of the family name are Graf as well as Graff and the Zürich line, known in the area since the early 14th century, are a branch of the ancient rabbinical Graff family. Forced to convert to Catholicism in the early 14th century they became Anabaptists in 1560 and migrated from Switzerland to the area around Sinsheim, Germany around 1651. The Groff family has largely remained an East Coast family found both on the United States and Canadian sides of the border. A large number of notable Groffs have migrated back and forth between the two countries during the past two hundred years. The recognized seat of the U.S. Groff family is the area of southeastern Pennsylvania. In Canada the Groff family is best known in the area around Markham, Ontario. In both countries, the family has often comprised a formidable political and economic power and was instrumental in the founding of the Mennonite Church Canada.The Groff name and original real family crest is also found in the "Wappenbuch" or "Arms Book" (written in German, circa 1550) with the title of minor Baron. This is the Hungarian spelling. The German spelling is "Graf". This book is in the genealogy section of the New York Public Library and is so old and fragile it is not permitted to be taken out or copied. There is a fleur de lis on the hand painted crest with a wolf being slain and a pomander below the usual armor helmet; but with three feathers in the helmet which indicates title of minor Baron. source: New York City Public Library. }
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- Groff_family abstract "Originating in Bäretswil, Switzerland, the Groff family became during the early seventeenth century one of the founding families of both the United States and what was later to become Canada. The original German spellings of the family name are Graf as well as Graff and the Zürich line, known in the area since the early 14th century, are a branch of the ancient rabbinical Graff family. Forced to convert to Catholicism in the early 14th century they became Anabaptists in 1560 and migrated from Switzerland to the area around Sinsheim, Germany around 1651. The Groff family has largely remained an East Coast family found both on the United States and Canadian sides of the border. A large number of notable Groffs have migrated back and forth between the two countries during the past two hundred years. The recognized seat of the U.S. Groff family is the area of southeastern Pennsylvania. In Canada the Groff family is best known in the area around Markham, Ontario. In both countries, the family has often comprised a formidable political and economic power and was instrumental in the founding of the Mennonite Church Canada.The Groff name and original real family crest is also found in the "Wappenbuch" or "Arms Book" (written in German, circa 1550) with the title of minor Baron. This is the Hungarian spelling. The German spelling is "Graf". This book is in the genealogy section of the New York Public Library and is so old and fragile it is not permitted to be taken out or copied. There is a fleur de lis on the hand painted crest with a wolf being slain and a pomander below the usual armor helmet; but with three feathers in the helmet which indicates title of minor Baron. source: New York City Public Library".