Surname Küffner - Meaning and Origin
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Küffner: What does the surname Küffner mean?
The last name Küffner originates from the Middle Ages and is a toponymic name derived from the German word küffer, which means 'barrel-maker, cooper'. Originally, the Küffner family could have been known to make barrels and this is likely how they earned their living.
The surname is quite rare in the modern day, although there is a substantial number of Küffner's living in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Records from the 13th and 14th centuries list the name Küffner in many villages in what is now Germany.
Küffner means 'barrel-maker' and it is likely that this is the primary meaning of the name, although as the family name passed from generation to generation, it could have come to mean a variety of different things for different families. Today, the name is often seen used as a given name, with the most common version being Küffner.
At its core, the last name Küffner means 'barrel-maker', although the nuances and implications of what this means may have changed over time. The name has a surprising history of being associated with people who make barrels, which remains an appropriate moniker given the skills associated with this trade.
Order DNA origin analysisKüffner: Where does the name Küffner come from?
The last name Küffner is a German name that is most common in modern times in Germany and Austria. It is actually a fairly common surname, ranking in the top 500 surnames in both countries. As of 2020, it is the 250th most common surname in Germany and the 346th most common surname in Austria.
The history of Küffner dates back hundreds of years, since at least the 1500s, when many variations were used, including Kueffner, Kuffer, Kufferin, Kuffner, Kueffener, Kuffener and Kuefnur. It is believed to have originated in Bavaria and dates back to at least the 13th century. The family name is derived from the Middle High German words "koffen" (to beat) and "er" (person) and denotes an individual who made or sold wooden buckets.
Today, Küffner can be found in over 20 countries worldwide. This includes the United States, Canada, Australia, Estonia, Russia, Poland and Norway, as well as European countries. In the United States, Küffner is particularly common in the Midwest, as many Germans settled in this region during the 19th century.
With the globalization of world populations, the last name Küffner is likely to become even more widespread in the coming years. Although the origins of the surname remain in Germany and Austria, descendants of the Küffner family now call many countries home.
Variations of the surname Küffner
The surname Küffner is of Germanic origin, derived from the occupational title of “Küfer," meaning "cooper.”
Variations, spellings, and alternate surnames for Küffner include:
Kueffner – This variation of the name is the most common spelling.
Kufner - Kufner is a spelling variant of Küffner.
Kuffer - Kuffer is a variant spelling of Küffner.
Kuffer - Kuffer is another variant of the surname Küffner.
Kueffer - Kueffer is a common variation of Küffner.
Kufar - Kufar is another variant of the Küffner surname.
Koffer - Koffer is another spelling variation of the Küffner name.
Kueffers - Kueffers is a variant of the Küffner surname.
Kuefer - Kuefer is a spelling variation of Küffner.
Kufers - Kufers is a variation of the Küffner surname.
Kuefers - Kuefers is a spelling variant of Küffner.
Kueffel - Kueffel is a variant spelling of Küffner.
Kuefferling - Kuefferling is an alternate spelling of Küffner.
Kufferling - Kufferling is another variation of the Küffner surname.
Koffel - Koffel is a variant spelling of Küffner.
Kofferling - Kofferling is a variant spelling of Küffner.
Kuefner - Kuefner is another spelling variation of the Küffner surname.
Kuefel - Kuefel is a common variation of the Küffner name.
Kofferling - Kofferling is another variation of the Küffner surname.
Kofflinger - Kofflinger is another variation of the Küffner surname.
Kueffelman - Kueffelman is an alternate spelling of Küffner.
Kuffermann - Kuffermann is a variant spelling of the surname Küffner.
Kueffermann - Kueffermann is another variant of Küffner.
Other spellings of the name include Kuffel, Kufferle, Kufferleman, Kufferlemann, Kufferler, and Kufferlin.
The surnames Küffner and Kuffer are also found as Jewish surnames, likely derived from a Germanicized form of the Hebrew name Yefet.
In addition, Kueffner is also an Anglicized form of various Slavic surnames, such as Kukol or Kukul.
The surname Küffner is found in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Today, the name is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Küffner
- Kurt Küffner, a German musicologist, composer, and pedagogue best known for his studies on Mozart and Haydn.
- Georg Küffner, a German theoretical physicist and philosopher.
- Fabian Küffner, a German politician who has served as a Member of the Bundestag since 2013.
- Siglinde Küffner, a German mezzo-soprano who is best known for her performances in the operas of Richard Strauss.
- Anton Küffner, a German composer, organist, and music director best known for his compositions for organ and choir. 6. Dominik Küffner, a German decathlete who competed in the 1924 Olympic Games.
- Karoline Küffner, a 19th century German actress.
- Eberhard Küffner, a Swiss ski jumper who won the bronze medal in the 1924 and 1928 Winter Olympics.
- Gustav Küffner, a German philologist, librarian, and hymnologist.
- Edith Küffner, a German photographer best known for her work with the magazine “Die Dame”.