Surname Kaufmann - Meaning and Origin

Kaufmann: What does the surname Kaufmann mean?

Kaufmann is of German origin and it translates to "merchant" or "trader" in English. The name surfaced during medieval times in Germany when surnames were used to indicate one's occupation. Therefore, individuals with the surname Kaufmann were likely involved in buying and selling goods or commodities. This surname is also prevalent in other countries that have germanic language influences such as Austria and Switzerland. There are several variations of the surname including Kauffman, Kaufman, and Kofman, among others. Despite its roots in trade and commerce, the usage of the name today does not confer any professional specificity. Additionally, there are several notable individuals with the Kaufmann surname across various fields such as architecture, music, science, and entertainment.

Kaufmann: Where does the name Kaufmann come from?

The surname Kaufmann is of Germanic origin and is primarily used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name translates as 'merchant' or 'trader', derived from the Middle High German word "koufman" which means merchant. It was typically bestowed as an occupational surname to individuals who were traders or merchants by profession. In certain regions, the name might be spelled as Kaufman or Kauffmann. Today, it is quite common in Germany, which houses the largest population with the last name Kaufmann. It is also fairly prevalent in the United States among descendants of German immigrants.

Variations of the surname Kaufmann

The surname Kaufmann has roots in German-speaking countries and is a professional surname that translates to "merchant" or "trader". Variants of the surname Kaufmann could include Kaufman, Kauffman, Kauffmann, Kofman, Koffman and Kaupmann.

In Yiddish surnames, often transliterated from the Hebrew or Cyrillic alphabets to the Latin alphabet, Kaufmann may also appear as Kofman, Kaufman, or Hoffman.

The alternate spelling Kauffmann is a relatively common variant, especially in Switzerland and other German-speaking regions. The addition of the second 'f' and 'n' doesn’t change the meaning but existed due to regional dialects or individual transliteration choices.

Kaufmänner is the plural form of Kaufmann and might be used or found historically, especially in old records, but it would be rare in present usage as a surname.

The related surname Hoffman or Hofmann, meaning "court man", might be associated or confused with Kaufmann in some settings but it is considered a separate surname in most cases with a different meaning.

Famous people with the name Kaufmann

• Arthur Kaufmann (1861-1941), Austrian musicologist
• Douglas S.M. Kaufman (1873-1955), American botanist
• Elijah Kaufmann (1846-1933), Hungarian Biblical commentator and Karaite community leader
• Johann Jakob Kaufmann (1845-c. 1900), Swiss early philatelist
• Karl Kaufmann (1873-1946), German administrator, governor of East Prussia
• Marc Kaufmann (b. 1967), Belgian football coach
• Michael Kaufmann (b. 1952), American automotive safety engineer
• Michael Kaufmann (b. 1955), German musicologist
• Monika Kaufmann (b. 1942), German politician
• Nick Kaufmann (b. 1973), American writer
• Paul Kaufmann (1880-1924), German chemist
• Rob Kaufmann (b. 1968), American business executive
• Thomas Kaufmann (b. 1968), German business executive
• Wilhelm Kaufmann (1900-1975), American logician
• William Kaufmann (1912-2006), American political scientist

Other surnames

Kaufman