Surname Unkauf - Meaning and Origin
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Unkauf: What does the surname Unkauf mean?
The last name Unkauf is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "uncovf", meaning "bold." The name is believed to have referred to a brave hunter or a guardian of a manor. Records of the name Unkauf have been found as early as 1298 in the region of Germany where it is still most commonly found today.
Unkauf is an uncommon but distinguished surname and has stayed relatively unchanged since its origin. Over the years, some members of the family have added an 'e' to the end of the surname to distinguish themselves, though this is not a common practice.
Some of the first known bearers of the Unkauf surname have made notable contributions to history, including Heinz Unkauf, the German panzer division commander in World War II, and Anton Unkauf and Franz Ungkauf, two noted industrialists in 19th century Germany.
Today, the Unkauf surname has spread to various locations around the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Those with the Unkauf name are typically associated with a sense of dependability, courage, and pride.
Order DNA origin analysisUnkauf: Where does the name Unkauf come from?
The last name Unkauf is most commonly found in Germany and is of German origin. The name mainly originates from Bavaria and around the Bavarian border areas of Austria and the Czech Republic. Today, the Unkauf name is used in many German states as well as in countries with German speakers, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
The Unkauf surname is rare in the United States, with just over 70 occurrences recorded across the country. However, this number increases dramatically when considering states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which both boast a significant population of Unkaufs. It is likely also a popular name in other states with large German-American communities, such as Michigan, New York, and Missouri.
The name Unkauf is a combination of the old German words meaning "purchase," which most likely refers to a person who was a buyer or seller of goods. Its popularity in Germany is attributed to its presence in Bavaria during the Middle Ages, when trade was the primary means of income.
As to the Unkaufs living outside of Germany, it is likely that many are descended from immigrants who brought the name to their new homeland, combining with the culturally diverse mix of migrants to form a more cosmopolitan name. As a result, the Unkauf surname can be found scattered across the globe, from small towns to large cities, all of them linked to a common family tree that started many hundreds of years ago in the heart of Germany.
Variations of the surname Unkauf
The surname Unkauf has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common form is Unkauf, which in German translates literally to “sale-protection” or “trading-protection.” This meaning may refer to the guard in a marketplace or a professional associated with commerce. Those with the Unkauf surname are most likely of German or purchase origin.
Variants and alternate spellings of Unkauf include Unkauff, Unkaub, Unkaum, Unkault, Unkauffman, Unkaubman, Unkaufman, Unkauman, and Unkakh. Both the variants and alternate spellings of this surname are most likely to be associated with the German language.
Other surnames of the same origin as Unkauf include Enkauf, Ankauf, Unkaufft, Unkoff, Trottmann, and Housmann. Enkauf is most likely a German variant of Unkauf. Ankauf is a German surname which translates to “purchase-protection” referring to the guard in a marketplace or the professional associated with commerce, in the same way Unkauf does. Unkaufft refers to an individual who was employed as a guard or supervisor in the hire of a master or lord. Unkoff likely refers to the profession of a guard or supervisor. Trottmann and Housmann are both German surnames which may or may not be related to Unkauf. Trottmann signifies someone who specialized in the Trott or Trot, a riding game that originated in the 15th century. Housmann refers to someone who is from a house, or a family whose profession has become their surname.
Famous people with the name Unkauf
- Kate Unkauf: an American actress and screenwriter.
- Jesse Unkauf: an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Katie Unkauf: an American singer, songwriter, and voice actress.
- Jason Unkauf: an American film producer.
- Sarah Unkauf: an American actress and former beauty queen who starred in the television series Beverly Hills, 90210.
- Jordan Unkauf: an American model, reality TV personality and the winner of the 2015 Spokesmodel of the Year award.
- Thomas Unkauf: an American musician and composer.
- Lisa Unkauf: an American television actor from the show, Justified.
- Eric Unkauf: an American football player who played in the NFL and the CFL.
- John Unkauf: an American politician who served in the Wisconsin assembly from 2003–2008.