Trefflich

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Trefflich is an old German word which means "on the mark". It has been used as an archery term in the past. It is also a family name.

[edit] Trefflich Family in Different Countries

It has been speculated that there is only one Trefflich family which originated somewhere in Germany (possibly Thuringia) and cosequently all people carrying the name Trefflich are in fact related.

Some countries where there are known to be Trefflichs include Germany, the Netherlands, United States and Brazil. There was an Albert Trefflich and his family who immigrated to the United States. There was also a Trefflich who fought in the civil war on the side of the confederacy. A Henry Trefflich is noted in records as owning a potash factory in Seneca County, OH in 1885.

In the 1920s a Henry Trefflich immigrated from Germany and later set up a prosperous animal import business. He has a number of descendants in the United States.

There are pockets of Trefflichs in Texas, California, and the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania area.

Perhaps the single city with the most Trefflichs is Grosshettstedt, Thuringia, Germany (near the city of Arstadt). The spelling of this city is not quite accurate, as in German it contains a character not used in English. Trefflichs have been in Grosshettstedt since at least the early 1700s, and possibly since much earlier. The town is in a rural district, and for the last few generations most of the family has moved away, except a few people who stay in the town and have their children there.

A book entitled "New Homes In A New Land, German Immigration to Texas, 1847-1861" lists a Henry Trefflich with his family of 6 (total) from Hassleben, Prussia immigrated to the United States aboard the ship "Washington". The ship left Hambur on 17 Aug 1852. It made its way to Galveston, TX and also to New Orleans. This same family is not listed in the 1860 census of Comal Co, TX, so it is probable that they settled elsewhere.