Surname Coffer - Meaning and Origin
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Coffer: What does the surname Coffer mean?
The last name Coffer comes from the ancient Norman culture that was established in Britain after the Norman Conquest of the island in 1066. It is a name for a person who was involved in the craft or trade of making chests, boxes, and other similar useful objects. The surname is derived from the Old French word "coffre," which means “a chest or box.” This occupational surname was given to individuals who were chest makers or someone who made baskets, barrels, and other storage or packaging objects. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has changed but its origins and meaning remain essentially the same. Like many surnames, the interpretation of the last name Coffer can provide insights into the history, trades, and location of one's ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisCoffer: Where does the name Coffer come from?
The last name Coffer is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has its roots in the occupation of a maker or seller of chests, caskets or coffers, displaying the ancient medieval practice of creating surnames from occupations. The name is derived from the Old English "cofa," which means "large chest," indicating its occupational context.
Scrutinizing historical documents such as Tax Rolls, the Hundred Rolls, the Wills at Canterbury, Poll Tax, and others, there are mentions of individuals with variants of the Coffer surname as early as the 13th century in England – pointing towards its English origin.
Today, the last name Coffer isn't extremely common, but can be traced in moderate concentrations across the Anglophone world, in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to the latest data available, the United States has the highest number of people with the Coffer surname. However, it's important to note that the name may have different spellings and variations, which could contribute to its dispersion.
Variations of the surname Coffer
The surname Coffer has several variants and similar surnames due to regional differences, phonetic spelling, and evolution over time. Some of its variations include Coffar, Coffor, Coffarre, Cofar, and Koffer.
Possible misspellings of Coffer that may occur due to phonetic inconsistencies include Cofer, Coper, Cofar, Coaffer, and Cooffer.
The surname Coffer also has associated names which originated from the same root or bear resemblance in meaning, including Coffin, Coffey, Coffee, and Coffman.
It's also important to note that names can change significantly due to translation; for example, the surname Coffer could be translated into different languages, resulting in completely distinct yet related surnames. For instance, in German, it might be spelled as Kasten or Truhe, both of which mean "chest" or "box" — similar to "coffer" in English.
Overall, the various spellings and derivatives of the surname Coffer reflect a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural influences across time and geographies.
Famous people with the name Coffer
There seem to be few well-known figures with the surname Coffer. Some of them include Mike Coffer, a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA. Another one is Mary Coffer, who is known for serving as an activist and a nurse during the Civil War. Charles Coffer is also recognized as a prominent aerospace engineer. It is important to remember, fame is relative and these individuals may not be universally recognized.