Surname Gofman - Meaning and Origin

Gofman: What does the surname Gofman mean?

The last name Gofman is derived from the Yiddish word “gof”, which means a blacksmith. People with this last name likely had ancestors that were skilled at crafting items from metal. The name may also be derived from the words “gevney” or “g’vnim”, meaning workshop. Historically, blacksmiths were an important presence in many communities, providing much-needed services such as the making of horseshoes, tools, and weapons.

Gofmans likely lived in Eastern or Central Europe, and several family lines have been traced from the Ukraine and Lithuania to other parts of Europe, South Africa, and the United States. Gofmans often worked as master blacksmiths, metal smiths, goldsmiths, silversmiths, or brass founders during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, the Gofman surname is spread all throughout the world, and the legacy of blacksmiths lives on. Many Gofmans have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, business owners, and other professional roles. Each generation of Gofmans carries a reminder of their heritage to the modern world while carving out a new path for the next generation.

Gofman: Where does the name Gofman come from?

The last name Gofman is most commonly found in Russia and Ukraine today. Over 80 percent of people with the last name Gofman are located in those two countries. However, there are also people with the last name Gofman located in other parts of Europe, including Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Latvia, and Germany.

The last name Gofman originally comes from the Jewish diaspora. According to Jewish genealogical records, the Gofman family has been documented as originating in Germany during the 18th century. This family then migrated eastward to Poland and other regions. Subsequently, many of them migrated further eastward to Russia and Ukraine.

Within Russia and Ukraine alone, there are estimated to be roughly 20,000 people who carry the last name Gofman. The majority of these people live in the urban centers of Moscow and Kiev. Additionally, the last name is very common in many other Russian and Ukrainian cities, such as Minsk, Odessa, and Kharkiv.

The Gofman family has a long history in the region and is respected for its influence on culture and business. Today, there are numerous descendants of the Gofman family living in Russia and Ukraine, each taking pride in their shared roots.

Variations of the surname Gofman

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gofman include:

Goffman - This surname is derived from the Middle High German given name Gaffe, which was likely derived from Judeo-German elements meaning “God’s peace” or “God’s protection”.

Goffe - A variant spelling of Goffe, this surname is derived from either the Middle High German given name Gaffe, or the Old French personal name Goff or Goffe.

Gofman - This species of surname is derived from the Middle High German given name Gaffe. It is believed to have originated from the Judeo-German elements, and it may have been created as an occupational surname for a maker of goff, a type of woven fabric.

Goff - This variation of Gofman is derived from either the Middle High German given name Gaffe or the Old French personal name Goff or Goffe. It can also be a name derived from place of origin, and may be related to a place called Goff or Goff in England.

Goffin - Derived from the Middle High German given name Gaffe, this surname may have been derived from Judeo-German elements meaning “God’s peace” or “God’s protection”. It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for a maker of goff, a type of woven fabric.

Gof - Derived from the Middle High German given name Gaffe, this surname has the same meaning as the other variations. It is thought to have been created as an occupational surname for a maker of goff, a type of woven fabric.

Gofin - Derived from the Middle High German given name Gaffe, this surname is thought to have originated from Judeo-German elements meaning “God’s peace” or “God’s protection”. It may have been created as an occupational surname for a maker of goff, a type of woven fabric.

Gofen - Derived from the Middle High German given name Gaffe, this surname has the same meaning as other variants. It is thought to have been created as an occupational surname for a maker of goff, a type of woven fabric.

Goffein - Derived from the Middle High German given name Gaffe, this surname likely originated from Judeo-German elements meaning “God’s peace” or “God’s protection”. Just like the other variants, it is likely to have been created as an occupational surname for a maker of goff, a type of woven fabric.

Famous people with the name Gofman

• Anatoly Gofman: A former Soviet/Ukranian nuclear physicist, who spent most of his life and career studying the effects of radiation on human health.
• Vitaly Gofman: A Russian chess player, International Master, and World Open co-champion.
• Mark Gofman: An American physicist and computer scientist who received his Ph.D. from Princeton in 1971.
• Peter Gofman: An acclaimed artist and author born in Russia, Peter has lived in the United States since the early 1930s.
• Viktor Gofman: A renowned organ virtuoso and exquisite composer, Viktor received the Russian Republican Prize in 1996.
• Alexander Gofman: A Russian film director and screenwriter of the late 20th century known for his films Gogol and Freedom.
• Veniamin Gofman: A Soviet military leader, Veniamin was a General of the Army of Russia in the 2nd World War.
• Boris Gofman: A Soviet Navy admiral, Boris served as Chief of the Main Staff of the USSR Navy from 1957 to 1963.
• Dmitri Gofman: A Russian business executive and entrepreneur, Dmitri founded and is CEO of the international financial services company Gofman Group.
• Ivan Gofman: A Soviet actor, Ivan was best known for his role in the 1966 classic comic drama The Gadfly.

Other surnames

Gofmann