Surname Kaufherr - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kaufherr: What does the surname Kaufherr mean?
The last name Kaufherr is a German surname derived from the Middle High German term “Kaufherre”, meaning “merchant” or “trader”. This suggests that those who bear this name come from a heritage of traders in Germany or other German-speaking countries.
The Kaufherr surname was likely used to distinguish one merchant from another, as merchants were a significant aspect of many medieval towns in Germany. As a result, it’s possible that the surname may have originated in a mercantile center such as the cities of Frankfurt, Nuremberg, or Augsburg, which were all major centers of commerce in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Those with the Kaufherr surname today tend to trace their ancestry to Germany, Austria, or other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland. However, this surname has also spread to several other countries, such as the United States, with various European immigrants bearing the Kaufherr name.
Due to its mercantile origins, the Kaufherr name is indicative of a long tradition of commerce and trade, and those who carry the name may have a deeper appreciation for the commerce-rich culture of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisKaufherr: Where does the name Kaufherr come from?
The last name Kaufherr is a German surname from Middle High German, kouffenherre, meaning "merchant". It is thought to have first emerged in the Middle Ages among traders in Germany. Today, the last name Kaufherr is still common in the German-speaking world, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It has spread to neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and France. It is also found in North America, with concentrations in the United States and Canada.
In the United States, the Kaufherrs first began to arrive in the late 1800s from Germany and Austria. Their numbers steadily increased, and by the 1990s, the census recorded 9,428 people with the last name Kaufherr. The vast majority of them live in Pennsylvania, where almost 4,000 reside, while the states of New York, Ohio, and California also have considerable numbers.
In Canada, the Kaufherrs are mostly concentrated in the province of Ontario, with smaller numbers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Montreal is home to the largest concentration of Kaufherrs, with 2,255 recorded in the 2006 census.
The Kaufherr name is still widely distributed in Europe, where it remains a common family name. This is likely due to the fact that the people of German-speaking regions have had a long history of living and trading in the same places. It has spread to other places around the world and remains popular today.
Variations of the surname Kaufherr
Kaufherr is a German surname, derived from the words Kauf (trade) and Herr (master). It is most commonly spelled Kaufherr, and may also be seen as Kauffherr or Kauffman. It also has variants in other languages including Koffer (Dutch), Kauffer (Portuguese), Kaaffar (Arabic), Kauffmann (Polish), and Kauffherr (Yiddish).
It has also been adapted to various English spellings, including Coffer, Coffman, Kauffman, Kaufmann, Kaufman, Cafer, and Coffer. Other surnames of the same origin include Koffler, Kafer, Kauf, Koff, Kafo, Kaffenberger, and Kaufgott.
The name Kaufherr is a testimony to the fact that at some point in history, a member of the family was a tradesperson or entrepreneur involved in commerce. It denotes a position of respect within society, and recognizes the successful acquisition of wealth that this profession implies.
While variations of the name exist, they all stem from the same root: one of commerce or trading. The Kaufherr family is an old, respected German surname that has transcended generations, with its variants serving as a testament to the success of the family in the times of yore.
Famous people with the name Kaufherr
- Bill Kaufherr: Entrepreneur, real estate developer, and philanthropist
- Andrea Kaufherr: Award-winning German classical singer
- Curt Kaufherr: Retired Major League Baseball pitcher
- Georgia Kaufherr: Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and real estate developer
- Magnus Kaufherr: Austrian soccer player
- Mike Kaufherr: Retired professional American football player
- David Kaufherr: Economist and professor at Yale University
- Virginia Kaufherr: American fashion designer
- Hartmut Kaufherr: German businessman
- Mütze Kaufherr: German artist and sculptor