Surname Kofoed - Meaning and Origin

Kofoed: What does the surname Kofoed mean?

Kofoed is a Scandinavian surname stemming from the name of an ancient Viking chieftain. The etymology of the name is believed to be derived from the Old Norse words "kofu" meaning barrel or cask, and "aedd" meaning fire or burning. The name is thus thought to suggest that the family of Kofoed descends from a family of metal-workers.

Kofoed is a rare name, with the majority of its population being found in northwestern Europe, particularly in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The surname can also be found in countries that were formerly part of the Danish Empire, such as England, Scotland, and Germany.

Throughout the years, the Kofoed surname has seen various spellings, including Kofoët, Kofaet, Kofaedt, Kofod, and Kopod.

Kofoed is believed to have originally been a name of status, likely inherited from a long line of noblemen or warriors. In some cases, Kofoed has also been rendered as a nickname for a fiery individual.

Today, Kofoed remains a rare surname, but is still associated with a strong Nordic heritage and a rich history of family pride and resilience.

Kofoed: Where does the name Kofoed come from?

The surname Kofoed is mainly found in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark where it is one of the most common family names. It is believed to derive from the Old Scandinavian name Kofi and is thought to mean ‘deep cove’.

Today, the surname Kofoed is present in many places in Europe including in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, as well as in other countries such as in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

In Denmark, the surname Kofoed is quite common among working class families where it is often found with other distinctively Danish surnames such as Hansen, Jørgensen, and Christensen. It is also a prominent name in the region of Skåne in southern Sweden.

In the United States, the Kofoed family can trace its roots back to the earliest days of the Danish settlement in the Midwest. The Kofoed family then spread out across the eastern part of the country. Today, the last name Kofoed is quite prevalent in the United States, particularly in the Midwest.

Additionally, in the United Kingdom, the Kofoed family name is found among people of Danish descent who have lived in the country for generations. They mainly reside in the English counties of Yorkshire, Durham, Lancashire, and Cumbria.

Overall, the last name Kofoed is a fairly common family name in Europe and in the United States. It can be found in both working-class and middle-class communities and is often associated with people of Danish descent.

Variations of the surname Kofoed

The surname Kofoed has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Kofoed is a Danish patronymic surname, derived from the given name “Kofoed,” which is the Danish form of the Old Norse first name Koli. As a patronymic surname, Kofoed denotes "son of Koli," or more properly, “Kolison.”

The most common variant of the surname Kofoed is Kofod, which occurs in both Denmark and Norway. In Norway, an alternative spelling of the surname is Kjofod.

Alternative spellings of the surname Kofoed include Coffey, Koffey, and Koffeys, as well as Koufod, Kokford, Kahford, Kahfod, Kaffod, Kofold, and Kokfod.

Kofoed is also found as a surname in other countries, with some different variants. In Finland, the surname is spelled Kaufod, Kaufoed, Korvo, Korven, or Kulu. In Germany, it is spelled Kofort; the Dutch spelling is Kooffoot; and in Sweden, the surname Kofoed is also spelled Kvofeldt, Kvofaldt, Kvofoed, and Kvofoerth.

In addition, the surname Kofoed may also be found in America, where emigrants from Denmark, Norway, and other Nordic countries brought the name with them. In America, the surname often appears as Coffey, Coffy, or Koffy.

In summary, the surname Kofoed has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants are Kofod, Kjofod, Coffey, Koffey, Koffeys, Kaufod, Kaufoed, Korvo, Korven, Kulu, Kofort, Kooffoot, Kvofeldt, Kvofaldt, Kvofoed, Kvofoerth, Coffy, or Koffy.

Famous people with the name Kofoed

• Kyrin Kofoed: Kyrin is a politician from New Zealand who served as acting Prime Minister in 2009 albeit for only a day.
• Henrik Kofoed: Henrik was a Danish explorer and journalist who’s journey’s included traveling from the US to Central America in the early twentieth century.
• Dennis Kofoed: Dennis is an American attorney who formerly served as president of the National Bar Association from 2013 to 2015.
• Carl Kofoed: Carl was a writer and artist best known for his satirical illustrations and articles in the popular California newspaper, the San Francisco Bulletin.
• Martin Kofoed: Martin is a former Danish professional football player who’s career spanned from 1986 to 2001.
• Finn Kofoed: Finn was an educator, musician, and writer who authored seven books on Danish musical culture during the 20th century.
• Henrik Julian Kofoed: Henrik was a Danish physicist and astronomer who wrote and published extensively on astrophysics.
• Christian Kofoed: Christian was a Danish botanist and professor best known for his research into the ecology and physiology of plants.
• Line Kofoed: Line was a Danish novelist, playwright, and social critic who wrote extensively on the effects of urbanization on modern society.
• Anna Kofoed: Anna was a German doctor and teacher who was a pioneering force in the advancement of female education in the 1920s and 1930s.

Other surnames

Kofoet