Surname Keuffel - Meaning and Origin

Keuffel: What does the surname Keuffel mean?

Keuffel is a surname of German origin, believed to be derived from the Middle High German word “kucfer,” meaning male cook. The surname likely originated as an occupational name for a chief cook.

Keuffel can be found in records primarily in the German-speaking areas of Central Europe, such as in what is now northern Germany and parts of France and Switzerland. It is also found in some Hungarian records, indicating the family may have traveled there in search of new opportunities.

The Keuffel surname today appears as Koch in Germany and Kuch in Hungary, while other versions are Kuphal in Germany, Kucharcsyk in Poland, and Kufel in Slovakia.

The family name has a range of meanings and spellings, and is loaded with cultural significance. It typically symbolizes a family’s climb through the social hierarchy, from its origins as a lowly cook, to a name that has endured for generations. The resilience and perseverance of the Keuffel family is reflected in the family's success and recognition throughout the years.

Keuffel: Where does the name Keuffel come from?

The surname Keuffel is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German term for 'sheep fold'. It is most commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States.

In the U.S., census records have reminded us that the Keuffel surname was present along the Eastern seaboard from the 1700s when the earliest immigrants from Germany arrived, settling in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

The Keuffel surname also spread north into Canada and south to the Carolinas and Georgia. This is evidenced by the Kueffel family members mentioned in the book, "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800.”

Today, Keuffel is likely to be found concentrated in the Midwest with larger groups in Wisconsin, especially in the Milwaukee and Madison areas, and in Michigan in the Grand Rapids metro area. Many Keuffels have spread throughout the country, however, as Keuffel can now be found in nearly every corner of the United States.

Variations of the surname Keuffel

The surname Keuffel is derived from the well-known German name Kiefel or Küfel. The German root word “Küfel” is a descriptive term meaning “makers of caskets and boxes.” This surname is common in many parts of Europe and the United States and can often be traced back to the same origin.

Variations, spellings and surnames of Keuffel include Kauffel, Kueffel, Kaufel, Koffel, Coffel, Koffell and Kofel. These variants originated from the original German versions of the name and have been carried through generations.

Additional spellings such as Keyfel, Kefel, Kiefel, Kiefeler, Kieffel, Kyffel, Käffel, Käuffel, Köffel, and Keuffel are also common variations of the same origin. These variations are used in numerous regions and can often be found within the same family.

Furthermore, surnames derived from the conservative version of the name such as Kufle, Kaufle, Koffle, Kofle, Kuefli, Kefele, Kifel, Koffeli and Kieffle, can also be found in families today.

Overall, the surname Keuffel has many variants, spellings and surnames that can be traced back to the same origin. With its prominent roots in Germany, this surname can often be found in genealogical records in various countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Keuffel

• Marcelo Keuffel: a noted musician and singer-songwriter from Chile
• Hayley Keuffel: US fashion designer and winner of 2017/18 Grazia Emerging Talent Award
• Gabor Keuffel: Hungarian mathematician and professor at the Princeton University
• Dieter Keuffel: German ice hockey player who played four seasons in the National League (1972-1976)
• Halina Keuffel: Polish actress and director
• Annie Keuffel: an Australian artist and sculptor
• Gunnar Keuffel: photographer and musician from Germany
• Frederik von Keuffel: German composer and musician
• Wolfgang von Keuffel: Austrian composer and conductor
• Elizabeth Keuffel Rogers: US business executive and president of the Allstate Life Insurance Company

Other surnames

Keuffer