Surname Käufert - Meaning and Origin
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Käufert: What does the surname Käufert mean?
The last name Käufert is German in origin and is believed to be derived from the German word “Kaufer”, which translates to English as “merchant” or “buyer”. The surname is likely to have been first used to denote someone who carried out a role in trade, such as a merchant, buyer or seller, and may have referred to an individual who held a particular profession. It is thought that the name also had a social function in that it may have distinguished individuals with similar given names, helping to make them more easily identifiable.
The Käufert family is believed to have originated from areas now known as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The surname is said to be fairly widespread throughout these countries, and there is evidence of its migration to other countries farther afield, such as the United States. It is also reported to have spread to parts of Ireland during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Today, the Käufert name is still used by German-speaking families as a surname in different regions across Europe, while a number of people bearing the name have moved to other countries around the globe. It is likely that the surname still has associations with a trading background, and could be used to denote individuals working as merchants, buyers or sellers. Whatever the case, it is a name with a long history, and one that continues to be used in many different locations.
Order DNA origin analysisKäufert: Where does the name Käufert come from?
The last name Käufert is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Due to the German roots of the name, its modern spelling in Germany and Austria is slightly different than how it is spelled in other countries, being written as Kaufert.
Käufert is a fairly common last name throughout the German-speaking world. In Germany, variations of the name can be found listed with the Federal Database of Names as having over 8,000 entries. In Austria, the population of individuals with the name Käufert immediately declined after WWI, but has since been on the rise and now has over 1,000 entries listed. Across Switzerland almost 3,000 entries are listed.
Besides German-speaking countries, Käufert can also be found all over Europe. In countries such as Denmark, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and France, the name can also be found in varying amounts.
In German-derived family names, Käufert is often used as a patronymic form, originating from the Middle High German word Kōfart meaning “merchant”. This indicates that the first Käuferts were most likely merchants or traders.
In modern days it is likely that many Käuferts have branched out from their German origins and settled in many different countries. This makes it hard to narrow down a specific location where the name originates from, however it is certain that the name Käufert is ubiquitous throughout German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Käufert
The surname Käufert has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spelling is Kaufert, which is an alternative spelling of the same name. Other variations of the name include Kauffert, Kauffarth, Kaufferth, Kauffman, Koffert, and Koffman.
The surname Kaufert is mostly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It derived from the Middle High German word "kouper" which means "merchant" or "trader." The surname has been in existence since the 13th century.
Other variants and spellings of the surname Käufert include Kauffmann, Kauffeur, Kauffelt, Kauffeler, Kauffen, Käuffer, Kauffer, Kaffer, Kuffert, Kuffer, Kufferle, Cofer, Coffer, Coffey, Coffman, Coofman, and Koffel.
The Käufert surname is also related to the Italian surname Gaffurio, which means trader, and the Spanish surname Cofre, which means chest.
People who bear the Käufert surname can also be found in the United States. The Käufert family can trace its immigration back to the 19th century, when many members of the family migrated to the United States from Europe.
Famous people with the name Käufert
- Sven Käufert: He is a German film producer and editor who has produced and edited for film, television and theater. He is best known for producing and editing the German megahit “Das Boot”.
- Andreas Käufert: He was a German classical pianist who was highly respected as an artist. He was renowned for his interpretations of Beethoven’s works, for a series of recordings he made in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Hermann Käufert: He was a German actor, director and theater manager known for his performances of classical works, especially Shakespeare, by Brecht and by Goethe.
- Joachim Käufert: He was a German composer and music teacher. He came to the forefront in German musical life during the early 20th century and won several awards for his innovative compositions.
- Max Käufert: He was a German surgeon and medical scientist who made important contributions to the field of pathology. He is remembered for his work on the pathology of disease and for his research into the biology of viruses.
- Rudolf Käufert: He was a German chemist who made a significant contribution to the development of explosives and propellants. He is credited with the invention of the modern smokescreen and smoke bombs, among other inventions.