Surname Kauffel - Meaning and Origin
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Kauffel: What does the surname Kauffel mean?
The last name Kauffel is of German origin and has two possible meanings. The first possible meaning is derived from the German word "Kaufmann", which means "merchant" or "trader". The second possible meaning comes from the German word "Kauffman", which refers to a fur seller or fur trader.
Kauffel appears to be a relatively rare surname, having limited presence in a few places in Germany. In Germany, the name is primarily concentrated in Baden-Württemberg where it is mostly found in the central and southern regions. A small number of people with the last name Kauffel also immigrated to the United States from Germany, most commonly in the latter part of the 19th century.
In general, the surname Kauffel tends to be more frequent in families that have roots in German-speaking countries. As such, it's often associated with areas in and around German-speaking countries, although it has spread to other countries as well. In the United States, Kauffel is most popular in Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.
Overall, it appears that the Kauffel surname has been associated with merchants, fur trades, and German-speaking countries for many centuries. It is a unique and interesting surname and those that bear it can be proud of its impressive heritage and legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisKauffel: Where does the name Kauffel come from?
The surname Kauffel is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to have come from the Middle High German phrase "stunga kouvol" which translates to "tumult, dispute, or rebellion", fittingly, as an appropriate term to use for a surname. Kauffel is also found in parts of Switzerland, Austria, and Luxemburg. Records of the Kauffel name extend back to the 14th century when a man named Herman Kauffel was admitted into the Teutonic Order.
The name Kauffel is particularly popular in eastern parts of Germany. This includes cities such as Elsterberg, released in 1930, and Haitzendorf, released in the 1950s. Other popular places include Berlin, Dresden, and Frankfurt. Interestingly, the majority of Kauffels can be traced to just a few areas in Germany; this indicates that the Kauffel family likely originated from a single progenitor.
In addition to Germany, Kauffel is also found in the United States. Many immigrants from Germany to the United States brought the name Kauffel with them, leading to its spread throughout America. In the 2000s, the Kauffel name could be found in certain states such as California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Although most of the Kauffels in the US are of German descent, descendants of other countries such as Sweden, Norway, and the Czech Republic are also common.
Overall, Kauffel is primarily found in Germany today with a small presence in other European countries and the United States. It is likely that the Kauffel family originated in one area, and that the name slowly spread as a result of migrants and immigrants, both within and outside of Europe.
Variations of the surname Kauffel
Kauffel is a German surname, derived from an old German word meaning “buyer” or “trader”. It is usually spelled Kauffel, but can also be found spelled Kauffle, Kauffele or Kauffelmann. The variants may be found in both Germany and America.
In Germany, the name is most prevalent in the state of Bavaria. It is often found spelled Kauffle, Kauffele or Kauffelmann. In the United States, it is usually spelled Kauffel. Variations of this surname may also be found in other countries, including France, Austria, Hungary and Russia.
The last name Kauffel may have numerous alternate spellings, including Kauffer, Kauffman, Kauffmann, Kauffle, Kauffler, Kauffele, Kauffeler and Kauffelman. In some countries, such as France and Hungary, the variation Kauffeld is also used.
Other surnames of the same origin include Kauffheimer, Kaufenheim, Kaufendahl and Kaufmann. In some cases, Kauffel has been combined with other names to form new surnames, such as Kauffel-Weber and Kaufman-Kauffel.
Kauffel is an uncommon, yet diverse and interesting surname with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is a good reminder that while a name may sound familiar, it can have a variety of spellings, which can tell you much about the origins and migration history of a family.
Famous people with the name Kauffel
- Maximilian Kauffel: German professional ice hockey player
- Karl Kauffel: German painter
- Jürgen Kauffel: German writer
- Paul Kauffel: German World War II fighter pilot
- Maria Kauffel-Bartsch: German novelist
- Theodor Kauffel: German illustrator
- Jean Kauffel: French poet
- Heinz Kauffel: German doctor and author
- Jeremiah Kaffel: American comedian and actor
- Ildiko Kauffel-Heather: Hungarian-born film editor