Surname Kühefuß - Meaning and Origin
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Kühefuß: What does the surname Kühefuß mean?
The last name Kühefuß is a German surname believed to have originated in the Middle Ages. It literally means "cow foot" and is likely a nickname given to an ancestor due to some association with the animal's appendage. It is, however, possible that the name was instead given to someone who worked either in the dairy industry or as a cattle breeder.
At the time of its origin, German family names were created as a way to distinguish between people with the same first name. Over time, many of these surnames came to reflect the occupations of their original holders, providing a snapshot of the social and economic structure of their time. Kühefuß was no exception and is thought to have been a forename for people within the agriculture industry.
Today, Kühefuß is a fairly uncommon last name - only a few thousand people worldwide bear this name. While it may have originally been rooted in associations with cows, in the present day it largely stands as a testament to Germany's medieval past. Today, people with this surname are mostly concentrated in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Order DNA origin analysisKühefuß: Where does the name Kühefuß come from?
The last name Kühefuß is quite common today in Germany. It is mainly found in western Germany, particularly in and around the major cities of Berlin, Hamburg, and München. The name is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and pockets of the United States.
Research conducted in 2017 by Link Analytics found that there are 1.25 people per 1,000 people with the last name Kühefuß in Germany. The name is especially common in Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, the name is most common in Vienna, Carinthia, and Styria.
Historically, the last name dates back to the Middle Ages in Germany. Records going back to 1189 show the name first began in Bavaria. In the 16th and 17th centuries, records show the name being used in both Germany and Austria.
The literal translation of Kühefuß means ‘cow foot’, so it is likely that the name originated as an occupational name for people who raised or cared for cows. Additionally, records have suggested that it also refers to people who worked with leather or wooden cow hooves.
Although the name is a bit more rare elsewhere, the surname is still quite common throughout Germany. It is being carried on through multiple generations of many German families.
Variations of the surname Kühefuß
The surname Kühefuß (Kuehefuss) is of German origin, and is found amongst families in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Variants of this surname include Keefe, Kuhfuß, Kuehfuß, Kuehfuss, Kihfuss, Kühfuß, Kühfuss, Cowfoot, Kuhfus, Kuhfuss, Kühfus, and Kuefus. In its verbal form as well as its written form in German, the surname is pronounced “KOO-hay-fooss”.
Kühefuß crafted names come from Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony, and the family is associated with the German state of Saxony in particular. It’s believed that the family originated near what was formerly East Prussia before it was dissolved in 1945, as well as Central and Western Germany.
If you have relatives known to have held the Kühefuß name, then you can trace your family’s roots through the name. The earliest documented ancestor of the family was a Hans Jakob Kühefuß, who lived in Westphalia in the 17th century.
It’s important to note that the name has multiple spellings, and knowing your family’s specific spelling is essential if you are going to research your family’s history. Many of the people who held the name have changed it slightly in order to assimilate into their new country, whether it was the United States, Canada, or some other part of the world.
Researching your family’s specific spelling of the Kühefuß name can provide you with a wealth of information about your family’s history and origin. It can also help you locate other family members who may have migrated out of Germany during the 19th century or early 20th century.
Famous people with the name Kühefuß
- Michael Kühefuß: a former German footballer who played for several teams in the German Bundesliga and Premier League.
- Elena Kühefuß: a professional volleyball player who is currently playing for the German champions VC Wiesbaden.
- Alfons Kühefuß: a former German footballer who made his debut in the German Bundesliga and Premier League in 1977.
- Dieter Kühefuß: an ex-professional handball player who was part of the German national team for the 1986 World Championship.
- Walther Kühefuß: a former German football goalkeeper who played for FC Schalke 04 in the German Bundesliga.
- Franz Kühefuß: a German football coach who has worked at several clubs in the German Bundesliga and Premier League over the years.
- Abigail Kühefuß: a classical pianist and music professor at the Academy of Music and Dance in Berlin.
- David Kühefuß: a renowned sculptor and artist who has exhibited his work in several European countries.
- Mario Kühefuß: a former German cyclist who won the bronze medal in the 1986 Tour de France.
- Johanna Kühefuß: a former German field hockey player who was part of the German national team for the 1992 Summer Olympics.