Surname Kauffman - Meaning and Origin

Unlocking the Chronicles of the Kauffman Legacy through iGENEA DNA Test

Intrigued by my Kauffman lineage, I embarked on a journey via the iGENEA DNA test. I was surprised to learn about my ancestors' geographical journeys and their Jewish origins. The unity of individual stories within larger historical narratives has given me nuanced insights about my identity and roots.

D. Kauffman

Kauffman: What does the surname Kauffman mean?

The surname Kauffman is of German origin and it means "merchant" or "trader." It is derived from the Middle High German term "koufman" which translates to a dealer or trader. The name was historically given to individuals who were traders or merchants by profession. Variations of the name include Kaufman, Kaufmann, and Cauffman among others. It is a typical example of a surname that evolved from a person's occupation in the medieval era, which is a common phenomenon in many cultures. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in many parts of the world thanks to widespread migration, although it is most prevalent in Germany and the United States.

Kauffman: Where does the name Kauffman come from?

The surname Kauffman originates from Germany and is an occupational surname for a trader or merchant, derived from the Middle High German "koufmann" or "kaufmann". It literally translates to "salesman" or "buyer". Variations of the name include Kaufmann, Kaufman, and Kauffmann. The surname started to appear in the early 16th century within German-speaking communities.

The Kauffman surname is most prevalent today in the United States, particularly Pennsylvania, where many Germans (known as the Pennsylvania Dutch) emigrated in the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition to the United States, there are concentrations of individuals with the Kauffman surname in Israel, Canada, Brazil, France, and Switzerland. Despite its German origins, it is less common in present-day Germany, primarily due to the historical emigration of German-speaking people to other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Kauffman

The surname Kauffman has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same or a similar origin. Variations on the spelling of Kauffman include Kaufman, Kaufmann, Kauffmann, and Kauffman. There's also Coffman and Kofman, where the spelling retains similar pronunciation but alters the appearance.

In different countries, this surname might be slightly adjusted. In Spanish speaking countries, it may appear as Caufman or Kauhman, and in Slavic countries, it might be Kavman or Kavermann.

There are a few surnames that share the same origin. These include Hoffman and Hoffmann, which translate to 'man of the court', and similarly Zimmerman and Zimmermann, which mean 'carpenter'.

The surname Kauffman and its variants come from German heritage. It is an occupational surname, meaning it originally served to tell what job a person did. In this case, Kauffman means 'merchant' or 'trader'. Depending on regional dialects and language changes over centuries, these spelling variants and similar surnames came to be.

All these names are derived from the Middle High German "koufman" or "koufman," meaning a merchant or trader.

Famous people with the name Kauffman

• Linda Kauffman: a Hollywood producer with many award nominations to her name
• Mabel Kauffman: a Christian missionary to Central Asia in the early 1900s
• Robert Kauffman: an American professional race car driver and co-owner of a NASCAR team
• Harry A. Kauffman: the first Secretary of the California State Board of Agriculture in 1919
• Ethel M. Kauffman: the first female member of the Arizona Board of Pardons and Paroles in 1929
• Robert L. Kauffman: awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II
• Dean Kauffman: a NASA engineer who worked on the Apollo, Gemini, and Viking missions
• Monica Kauffman: an American sculptor
• Richard Kauffman: the U.S. Secretary of Energy and Environment in the Obama administration
• Fred Kauffman: a professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL in the 1940s and 1950s

Other surnames

Kauffmann