Surname Kufner - Meaning and Origin
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Kufner: What does the surname Kufner mean?
The surname Kufner is of German origin. The name is derived from either the Old Germanic words "kuofan" meaning "to make an offer" or "kuoffan" meaning "to bargain" or "to quibble". It was likely first used as an occupational name for a seller or trader.
The name can also refer to people who lived near or worked near a bridge or bridge keeper. Kufner is likely an alternate spelling of the German name Kuefner. It is a well-recognized surname in Germany and across Europe, with many people bearing the surname.
In the United States, Kufner is most commonly found in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. It is also a popular surname in Canada and the United Kingdom. Today, people of all backgrounds and cultural backgrounds share the Kufner name.
Although its exact origin is not clear, the name symbolizes a spirit of resilience and strength. It is a reminder of a hard working and adaptable past, and a reminder that no matter how far removed someone is from his or her roots, they can still remain connected to their family's story.
Order DNA origin analysisKufner: Where does the name Kufner come from?
The last name Kufner is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe. It is most commonly found in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Poland. In Germany, it is estimated that there are approximately 2,400 living people with the last name in 2020. The highest concentrations of people with this name are in the states of Bavaria, Saxony, and Berlin, representing about one-third of the total population with the last name. In Austria, the last name Kufner is found mainly in the states of Lower Austria and Styria, though it can also be found in the western part of the country. In the Czech Republic, nearly 2,000 people with the last name Kufner are known to live there.
In the United States, the last name Kufner is less common. The 2000 US Census reports that there were just over 200 people with the last name living in the US. The highest concentrations of people with the last name are found in California, Pennsylvania, and New York. In Canada the last name is also less common with around 200 people with the last name living there. The highest concentrations are found in Ontario and British Columbia.
In summary, the last name Kufner is most commonly found today in Central and Eastern Europe with Germany having the highest concentration of people with this name. The United States and Canada both have small populations of people with the last name, but they are not as common as in Europe.
Variations of the surname Kufner
The surname Kufner has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Kuefner, and this spelling can also be seen as Kuaffner. Other variations include Kuffer, Kauffner, Kochfner, Kuofner, and Köfner. A less common variant is Kufern, which is the older spelling of the name.
The German surname Kufner is derived from Middle High German “coufen” or “kufet”, meaning “to bend” or “to coil”. It was likely an origin job name given to someone who had a job in a metal related occupation, such as a blacksmith. It could also be an occupational name for someone who made wooden barrels, as they had to be bent and coiled to hold their shape.
The spelling of the name also changed over time, giving rise to variants such as Cofner, Gufener, Cuffner, Cüfner, Köffen, Kauffmann, and Kauffner, among others.
In the United States, the name is most commonly seen as Kufner, while in Austria it is spelled Köfen.
Overall, the Kufner surname is an old German name that likely originated with a blacksmith or someone who made barrels. It has multiple variants and spellings due to its long history and different locations in Europe, giving rise to Kuaffner, Cofner, Kuffer, and many more.
Famous people with the name Kufner
- Alfréd Kufner: Czechoslovakian ice hockey player who competed in the 1928 Winter Olympics.
- Chris Kufner: American composer, arranger, and creative music director.
- Duane Kufner: Former American professional mixed martial artist.
- Phil Kufner: Former American professional ice hockey player.
- Terence Kufner: Canadian photographer and filmmaker, best known for his photography and film of the Arctic.
- Rosemary Kufner: Italian painter known for her abstract and semi-abstract work.
- Jon Kufner: American film and television actor.
- Frank Kufner: American football guard who played three seasons in the National Football League.
- William Kufner: Musician and art professor best known for his work with the San Francisco Art Institute.
- Jimmy Kufner: American drummer who worked with a variety of artists including Black Sabbath, Santana, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison and many others.