Surname Kofler - Meaning and Origin
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An Emotional Journey Through Time: My iGENEA DNA Test and the Kofler Lineage
Engaging with iGENEA DNA test was an emotional roller coaster ride, revealing unseen layers of personal history and an enriched understanding of the Kofler heritage. The results transcended facts and figures, taking on an emotional hue that has forever altered my connection with my lineage, my current family, and future generations of Koflers.
L. Kofler
read moreKofler: What does the surname Kofler mean?
The last name Kofler (also spelled Koeffler or Köfler) is a German surname with an uncertain origin. It could derive from the Middle High German word kouver (meaning "to cut" or "to make"), or the Latin root columba (meaning "dove") when combined with the Latin suffix -arius, which forms a noun meaning "one who sells doves."
However, it is also possible that the name is derived from a toponym or geographical place name. It may have referred to someone from places in the Tyrol, Bavaria or Thuringia.
The northern Bavarian version of Kofler, Koeffler, is also found in medieval documents. In Bavaria, Kofler is among the earliest documented surnames, while in Tyrol, the earliest recorded form of the words as a family name is from 1481.
Kofler may have various meanings. It could be the occupational name for someone who dealt in doves or a toponym referring to an ancestral home or a nickname for a person who lived near a particular stone or rock. Also, in Austria, the name Kofler is very common and is mostly found in the Tyrol region. In many parts of Germany, it's a rather rare name.
It appears that the Kofler name or its variation may have originated in Germany, Austria or Switzerland and spread to other parts of Europe. Nowadays, the Kofler surname is found around the world in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisKofler: Where does the name Kofler come from?
The last name Kofler is common today in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries. It's also one of the oldest known names in German history, dating back to the 12th century.
The name Kofler has its origins in the Middle High German word Kofer, meaning “wild boar”. This indicates that the first people with this last name were hunting wild boar as a source of food and fur. However, the main origin of the name is from the town of Kofel near the Bavarian city of Oberammergau.
In more recent history, throughout the 20th century, the name has spread out from Germany and Austria to other countries with German-speaking populations, such as Switzerland and Luxembourg. The name is also found in South America, in countries such as Uruguay and Argentina. These countries were home to many German migrants who fled persecution in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, the last name Kofler is associated with individuals and families who are proud of their German heritage, as well as have a longstanding dedication to their local culture and communities. In addition, since the name is popular, there are many German businesses and organizations with Kofler in their name.
Variations of the surname Kofler
Kofler is a German surname and it has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Koffer, Koffler and Kofler. Koffer is used as a German surname, with the alternate spelling Koffler. Koffer is also an old German word meaning “Coffin”. Additionally, variants like Kolfer, Kolferr, Kölfer and Kölferrers are all derived from the same root as Koffer. Some variants, such as Kolfer and Kolferr, are also sometimes misspelled or truncated versions of Koffer.
Kofler is also an ancient Jewish surname that dates back to medieval Germany. Historically, Jewish surnames were often derived from first names or specific family characteristics. The Kofler surname is believed to have originally been derived from the Jewish name Zacharias, which is the Hebrew version of the name Zachariah or Zechariah. Kofler is also sometimes referred to as Kofel, Koffel, Kofeler or Koffeler, though these are believed to be more localized spellings and may not be found in many other areas.
The surnames Kofler, Koffer and Koffler are all derived from the same root and are essentially interchangeable. In some cases, different spellings may be found in different parts of the world and may represent distinct families. However, all of these surnames continue to be used today and have spread to many other parts of the world, particularly throughout Europe.
Famous people with the name Kofler
- Karl Kofler, award-winning Austrian actor and director.
- Ali Kofler, renowned Israeli-American entrepreneur and inventor.
- Michael Kofler, highly educated German academic and computer systems analyst.
- Maximillian Kofler, well-known Dutch composer and music producer.
- Andy Kofler, prominent Swiss race car driver.
- Friedrich Kofler, esteemed Austrian aristocrat, scholar, and philanthropist.
- Anton Kofler, renowned Austrian entrepreneur and founder of a major food company.
- Hans Kofler, renowned Austrian linguist and professor of linguistics.
- Karl Kofler, award-winning German author and poet.
- Erich Kofler, prominent Austrian historian, theorist, and political thinker.
- Farin Kofler, renowned German human rights activist and campaigner.
- Walter Kofler, esteemed Austrian doctor and medical researcher.
- Mervyn Kofler, acclaimed Australian physicist and author.
- Gero Kofler, well-known Austrian ski jumper and Olympian.
- Adolf Kofler, notable German film director and screenwriter.
- Peter Kofler, renowned Austrian pianist, composer, and conductor.
- Pawel Kofler, celebrated Polish sculptor and installation artist.
- Maria Kofler, esteemed German opera singer and professor of music.
- Bertram Kofler, prominent German scientist and academic.
- Tomasz Kofler, esteemed Polish martial artist and mixed martial artist.