Surname Cofalka - Meaning and Origin

Cofalka: What does the surname Cofalka mean?

The last name Cofalka is a Polish surname derived from the word 'kufałka', which translates to 'small cask or barrel'. It is believed to have originally been an occupational name for someone who worked with barrels or caskets, or a nickname for someone who had a barrel-shaped torso. It may also have been derived from the German word 'Kufe', meaning 'tub'.

The earliest recorded Cofalkas are from the 16th century in the village of Podłopiec, Poland. Over time, the family migrated to other parts of the country and beyond, making their way to the United States and Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, the Cofalkas are a diverse group who have built successful lives around the world. They are known for their hard work, perseverance, and strong sense of family.

The Cofalka name will always be closely associated with the rich and colorful history of Poland. It is an important part of the Polish culture and heritage and will continue to be an important part of the Cofalka legacy for generations to come.

Cofalka: Where does the name Cofalka come from?

The last name Cofalka is relatively rare and is currently found mainly in Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia and Belarus.

The earliest records of the name Cofalka date back to around the 12th century, when it is believed to have been first used as a surname in Poland. Back then, the name was believed to refer to a fence or wooden gate, derived from the Polish word “Cofa” meaning gate or pen.

In the 19th century, the surname Cofalka and its variants moved out of Poland, spreading across some of the nearby countries. It is most commonly found today in Poland—according to a 2020 report, it was the 2,016th most common surname there, with an estimated 8,512 people bearing the name Cofalka.

Czech Republic and Lithuania have a smaller population of Cofalkas, where it is believed to have been introduced by the Polish immigrants. In Latvia, the Cofalka family is believed to have originated in the 18th century, following thetextile industry expansion in the region.

In Germany, the name Cofalka appeared in the early 20th century, when Poland lost its independence and many people fled to Germany. Most of the Cofalkas found in Germany today are thought to have originated in Eastern Europe.

The Cofalka surname today is associated with Poland and the nearby countries. It is an infrequent surname in most regions and is rarely found outside Eastern Europe.

Variations of the surname Cofalka

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Cofalka can include:

Cofala, Kofalka, Kofala, Kofolka, Kofolkka, Kofolke, Kofolkowa, Kofoma, Kofomała, Kofolke, Kofolinka, Kofolki, Kofalkiewicz, Kofalewski, Koflicki, Cofala-Kotowski, Kofolkowski, Cofalkowska, Kofalik, Kofalczak and Cofalkiewicz.

These surnames are derived from the Slavic name “Kofalka”, which also appears in various forms in different languages such as Polish and Ukrainian (Kofalka, Kovalka, Kovalke, Kofolka, Kovolka, Koffalka, Kofalk). In Polish, it is derived from a word meaning “sabre” or “curved blade”. It is also believed that the surname is derived from the old Slavic personal name ‘Kofalk’ which means “ruler”. In some cases, it may also be derived from the term ‘Kofalka’ which means “coat of mail” and refers to the protective clothing worn by medieval knights.

Over time, some of the surnames have become quite rare while others may have been altered or changed in different countries. For example, Kofalka may have been changed to Cofalka in some places or the spelling may have been altered slightly, as is often the case with surnames.

In conclusion, many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Cofalka exist, and despite the variations in the spelling, they are all believed to ultimately derive from a single name – the Slavic ‘Kofalka’, which comes from a word that references a curved blade.

Famous people with the name Cofalka

• Piotr Cofalka: Polish Paralympic swimmer and sports coach who competed in multiple Paralympic Games and was the first citizen of Bytom to receive a Medal of Merit to Physical Culture.
• Liza Cofalka: Russian professional ice skater. She participated in the 2011 Winter Universiade and is a three-time Russian Figure Skating Championship medalist.
• Kathy Cofalka: American lawyer and veteran of the United States Navy. She is the CEO of CAL State Bank and was a board member for the American Heart Association.
• John Cofalka: American actor, director, and screenwriter. He had television and film roles in Brooklyn Bridge, Law & Order, and Grease 2.
• J.P. Cofalka: American film director and photographer. He is best known for his feature film debut A Cadaver Christmas, which he wrote, directed, and acted in.
• Greg Cofalka: Former professional American football player. He played fullback for multiple teams including the San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts.
• Taylor Cofalka: American professional golfer and pre-med student. She was featured in the popular show Big Break Ka'anapali and is an ambassador for the U.S. Kids Golf program.
• Harry Cofalka: Former Olympic wrestler for the United States. He won bronze at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and held multiple championship titles from age of 15 to 25.
• Matt Cofalka: British-American business executive, entrepreneur, and public speaker. He is the founder and CEO of Aerona Solutions, a technology and engineering consultancy company.
• Max Cofalka: Counterculture novelist and author. He is best known for writing the autobiographical novel "The Autobiography of a Nobody," which follows one man's struggle with depression and isolation.

Other surnames

CofalikCofalkeCofalla