Kaufmann Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Kaufmann surname: its meaning, its roots in Germany, and its heraldry.
Origin of the Kaufmann name
Kaufmann is an occupational name for a merchant or trader, from Middle High German koufman, "one who buys and sells". In medieval towns the word marked a respected urban class of long-distance and market traders, quite distinct from the craftsmen of the guilds. The name is widespread in southern and western Germany and in Switzerland, and it was also adopted by many Jewish families in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Kaufmann name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Kaufmann name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Switzerland, the United States and Austria; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Kaufmann pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Kaufmann coat of arms.
Kaufmann name FAQ
What does the Kaufmann name mean?
Merchant, trader. Common variants include Kauffmann, Kaufman, Koopmann.
Where does the Kaufmann surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in Switzerland, the United States and Austria.
Is there a Kaufmann coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Kaufmann crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Kaufmann coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).