Surname Kuefner - Meaning and Origin
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Kuefner: What does the surname Kuefner mean?
The last name Kuefner is of German origin and is derived from the word “Küfner”, which was an occupational name for a cooper or barrel maker. Kuefner is an uncommon name, mostly recognizable in many German-speaking countries.
The surname is usually spelled with the German Umlaut, which is an optional mark used over some German vowels to indicate that a different pronunciation is called for. In English texts, the umlaut is usually represented by adding an e after the vowel.
Kuefner is an old German name which has its root in the Medieval period, when families with a last name of Küfner were members of the artisan classes and hence were connected to craftsmanship. These people were skilled at making and/or shaping a variety of different barrels and containers and thus were able to provide a much needed service during these times.
Today, the Kuefner surname is still used throughout the German-speaking world, although the involvement with the original barrel-making craft may have been diminished. Individuals with this last name may have an interest in the making and distribution of containers of some kind, although this is not necessarily the case.
The Kuefner name also carries a rich history, as those with the last name can trace their ancestors back to the Medieval period when the trade of barrel-making was essential to everyday life. This is an exciting opportunity for those who know the family’s heritage and can take pride in the accomplishments of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisKuefner: Where does the name Kuefner come from?
The last name Kuefner is of German origin and is fairly common in many parts of the world today. It is especially popular in the United States, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Australia and Germany.
In the United States, the last name Kuefner appears in the midwestern and east coast states, with the most numbers existing in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The top counties for Kuefner are Allegheny County, Philadelphia County and Butler County, Pennsylvania, and Allegheny County and Erie County, Ohio.
In Canada, the last name Kuefner is most prevalent in Ontario, with the top counties being Toronto, Waterloo and Halton regions.
In Australia, the last name is most common in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. Major cities with high Kuefner populations are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
In Scotland, the last name Kuefner is most common in the city of Glasgow.
In Germany, the last name is particularly frequent in the states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Overall, the last name Kuefner appears in many countries and regions of the world, with the highest concentrations found in the United States, Canada, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Germany.
Variations of the surname Kuefner
The surname Kuefner is derived from the Middle High German name ‘Kuef’, which in turn stems from the Old High German ‘Kouf’ for ‘smith.’ Thus Kuefner was originally a common occupational surname denoting one in the trade of smithing. Over the centuries, certain variants of the original name have developed.
Kuefner is the most common spelling of this surname. Alternative spellings include Kufner, Küfner, Kueffner, Kueffer and Kaufner. All of these spellings are derived from the original ‘Kuef’ name, and all follow the same spelling conventions regarding content and meaning.
Surnames crafted from the same origin also include Kaufmann, Kufmann, Kueffel, and Keyfel. These were variants of the same original name, but instead of using the smithing profession as its formative element, different professions are featured, such as merchants and innkeepers.
Another variant of the Kuefner surname is Kuefferle, which is a rare and unique version. This derivative of the original Kuef name is specially crafted for a single family, thus making it quite uncommon.
The surnames above illustrate the diversity and continuality of the Kuefner surname. Both Kuefner and its variants have been used for many centuries, and while certain spellings have evolved, the core meaning and connotations of the name have remained constant.
Famous people with the name Kuefner
- Toni Kuefner: German writer
- Jens Kuefner: German soccer player
- Susanne Kuefner: German artist
- Ute Kuefner: Austrian photographer
- Jutta Kuefner: German painter
- Mathias Kuefner: Swiss filmmaker
- Ben Kuefner: Austrian actor
- Anna Kuefner: German journalist
- Fanny Kuefner: Austrian fashion designer
- Richard Kuefner: German doctor
- Nikita Kuefner: Canadian ice hockey player
- Marlee Kuefner: US snowboarder
- Joseph Kuefner: American businessman
- John Kuefner: Canadian entrepreneur
- Andres Kuefner: Canadian lawyer
- Joshua Kuefner: American professor
- Lorenz Kuefner: German musician