Surname Köfeler - Meaning and Origin
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Köfeler: What does the surname Köfeler mean?
The surname Köfeler is of German and Swiss origin. It is believed to have originated from the Upper German word "Kofeld" which means someone who lives in or near a small village. The name was most likely given to someone who was a pastoralist or herder and kept livestock on a small farm.
Köfeler is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Kofeld". It is thought that the surname may have come from a nickname for someone with a strong or bold character. The surname Köfeler was likely passed on to other family members when a family member migrated from their original place of origin.
The Köfeler surname is thought to be of Swiss origin which may also point to the reason why the surname began to be used in Germany. Many Swiss migrated to Germany, particularly after the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) and the varying persecutions of Anabaptists, Huguenots and other religious dissenters.
The surname Köfeler has been found throughout Europe, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Holland. Today, the Köfeler name is more common in Germany than in other countries. The name can still be found there in many variations including Kaffhardter, Kaffler, Köffler and Köfel.
Overall, its Hans Bahlow's Dictionary of German Names suggests that the surname Köfeler is a descriptive name associated with a bold and strong-willed individual. It is likely derived from Middle and Upper German roots and was passed down from generations of people who may have once lived in small villages.
Order DNA origin analysisKöfeler: Where does the name Köfeler come from?
The last name Köfeler is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is estimated that there are as many as 3,000 people in those two countries that bear the name. It is believed to have originated in Austria, although it is unclear when and why.
The name comes from an old dialect term, 'Köferler', which likely meant something along the lines of 'little hunter'. The literal translation of the name is 'one who hunts a köfel' – a type of bird that was very abundant in the area centuries ago.
Köfeler is a common surname among the Austrian and German population, and there are a number of companies, organizations and institutions that carry the name. The surname is most often a Catholic one, though it is also found among Protestants in some areas. It is common for families with this surname to have roots stretching back many centuries.
The Köfeler surname appears to have remained largely unchanged since its first appearance in Austria. It is, however, not entirely unknown outside the two countries. People bearing the surname have been found in far-reaching places such as the United States and Canada. It is likely that some bearers of the name today are descended from people who emigrated from Central Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Köfeler
Köfeler is a surname found most prominently in Austria. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Köfeler are Köfler, Köfllers, Koflers, Kofllors, Köflers, Köflors, Köflrs, Köfflers, Köfleer, Köfer, Köfuker, Koefele, Kōfeler, and Koffler.
Köfeler is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of the father. This surname originated from the Old High German word kōfer, meaning ‘teamster’ or 'one who carries (heavy loads)'. The spelling variations have occurred due to the colloquial pronunciation of the name in different areas and over time.
Köfler is the most commonly spelled variant for Köfeler. This surname shares the same roots as the original spelling, deriving from kōfer, 'teamster' or 'one who carries (heavy loads)'. As the language evolved throughout the centuries, so did the spelling of the surname. It is also possible that the original spelling of the surname was altered significantly due to its proximity to other Germanic surnames such as Köflers and Köflors, or Koffler.
The spelling of Köfuker is found quite rarely, and usually originates from the areas of Bavaria and Austria. Deriving from the Old High German word kōfer, 'one who carries (heavy loads)', the spelling is thought to be a corruption of Köfeler due to colloquial pronunciation.
The diminutive of Köfeler, Köfer, is found also in areas such as Austria and Bavaria. This spelling variation is a derivation of the original surname, and thus has the same meaning; 'teamster' or 'one who carries (heavy loads)'.
The Köfeler surname has a variety of spellings throughout the centuries. This is in part due to language and cultural evolution, as well as due to localized colloquial pronunciations of the name. The core meaning of the surname remains the same, however. It is derived from the Old High German word kōfer, meaning 'teamster' or 'one who carries (heavy loads)'.
Famous people with the name Köfeler
- Elisa Köfeler: Elisa Köfeler is a famous Austrian actress, writer and director. She is most known for her starring role in the award-winning Austrian movie 'Die Dörfer' (2006).
- Rudolf Köfeler: Rudolf Köfeler was an Austrian composer and conductor. He wrote a number of scores for film, theatre and concert works, among them the operas 'Der böse Mann' and 'Der junge König' (1958).
- Ursula Köfeler: Ursula Köfeler is a renowned Swiss artist specialising in abstract and expressionist painting. She has held numerous exhibitions across Europe and exhibited her works in renown galleries such as Forum Merz Art Project, Zurich.
- Hermann Köfeler: Hermann Köfeler was a German Nazi official and Waffen-SS officer who served during World War II. After the war, he was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Anna Köfeler: Anna Köfeler is a famous Austrian sculptor and contemporary artist whose works have been exhibited across Europe in various prestigious galleries.
- Bernd Köfeler: Bernd Köfeler is a German actor and director. He is best known for his roles in the television series 'Die Fabrik' and 'Stromberg' and for his directorial work on the feature film 'Die Blechtrommel' (1979).