Surname Kofod - Meaning and Origin
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Kofod: What does the surname Kofod mean?
The last name Kofod is a Danish patronymic surname. It is derived from the first name 'Kofoed' itself derived from the Old Norse words 'Kofi' and 'od' meaning 'brother of Od'. It is believed that these were epithets of the Norse god Odin, and the name itself could mean either 'the brother of Odin', 'son of Odin', or even 'Od's kin'.
The surname first appeared in the records of Denmark around the 12th century, but its usage gradually increased in popularity and spread to different regions of Northern Europe over time. Over the centuries, the name has evolved to include many variant spellings, such as Kvofedt, Kvofdt, Kvoedt, Kvofodt, Kvoffedt, Koffedt, Coffedt, and Koffodt.
Today, the last name Kofod is primarily associated with those of Danish denomination, but it can also be found in other parts of Northern Europe, especially in Norway and Sweden. The name is relatively rare and is not found in large numbers in any single region.
Kofod is not just a surname. It is also the name of a small hamlet located near the city of Silkeborg in eastern Jutland, Denmark. The hamlet is now a part of Horsens municipality, but it was originally known as 'Kofodden' or 'Kofod Amt' - both of which directly refer to the surname. The name is likely derived from one of the earliest holders of the family name.
In conclusion, the last name Kofod is of Danish origin and refers to a person related to the Norse god Odin. Over time, it has evolved to include multiple variant spellings and is primarily associated with those of Danish denomination though it can be found in other regions of Northern Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisKofod: Where does the name Kofod come from?
The last name Kofod is commonly found in Denmark and the surrounding regions of Europe. It is also found in the Danish colonies of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In recent years, people with the last name Kofod have also been migrated to other countries around the world, making the name even more widespread.
Kofod is a Danish patronymic name that means "son of Kofoed," or "Kofoed's son." It is possible that this could have originated as a nickname for a larger person, since kofoed is a combination of two words "kof," meaning an enclosed cup or bowl, and "oed," which can mean bloated or swollen.
In Denmark, the name remains quite frequent. There are almost 10,000 people registered with the last name in the Central Persons Register, which is a Danish registry of personal names and their addresses.
Outside of Denmark, the United States and Canada are the countries with the most people bearing the name Kofod. In the United States, it was ranked 6,053th most common surname in a 2020 census with 32,055 people holding the last name. In Canada, it was ranked as the 2,490th most common name with 4,072 people bearing the family name.
Finally, the scattered Danish colonies around the world, like those in Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil, also have people with the last name Kofod. For example, in Australia, the Census of 2021 showed that there were 800 people living with the last name Kofod. Overall, the name remains quite common and is particularly frequent in areas with strong Danish connections.
Variations of the surname Kofod
Kofod is a Danish surname deriving from the Old Norse personal name, Kveði-Fótr, which means “quiet-footed”. Variations on this surname include Kofoot, Kovet, and Koffot. It can also be found spelled with other spelling variations like Kofoote, Kovete, Koffote, Kofoet, Koveot, and Koffoet. In some instances, Kofod has been anglicised to Coffitt, Kofod-Larsen, Kopf, and Kopp.
Many people bearing this surname went by different surnames when they emigrated, which is why the spelling of the Kofod surname can vary dependent on the region – for instance, some of the earliest settlers of Iceland adopted the Icelandic spelling of “Kafót”. Similarly, many German-speaking immigrants in the late 1800s changed it to “Köpf”.
Kofod can also be found in Swedish and Norwegian records as both Kofod and Koffod. Kofod can also be found as a first name in Norway, where it originated as a nickname for Kveði-Fótr. Other variations, such as Kofod-Larsen, are formed by combining the Kofod surname with another name.
Kofot, Kovet, Koffot, and their variations, are found primarily in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway today, but the Kofod surname is also present in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Spelling variations of the Kofod surname are numerous, and it is important to remember that all spellings represent the same root origin - Kveði-Fótr. As such, it is possible to trace one’s ancestry back to the original Kofod family regardless of how the surname is spelled today.
Famous people with the name Kofod
- Rasmus Kofod-Larsen: Danish footballer
- Ana Paula Kofod: Brazilian diver
- Ib Kofod-Larsen: Danish furniture designer
- David Kofod: Danish artist
- Tore Kofod: Norwegian politician
- Tommy Kofod: Danish footballer
- Julian Aage Kofod: Norwegian artist and author
- Lasse Kofod: Danish actor
- Christian Kofod: Danish actor
- Erland Kofod-Andersen: Danish gymnast