Surname Vorkäufer - Meaning and Origin

Vorkäufer: What does the surname Vorkäufer mean?

The last name Vorkäufer is a German occupational surname generally believed to be derived from the Medieval German word for “fore-seller” or “pre-seller.” It is a sobriquet, or nickname, that was often used to denote someone who was the primary supplier or pre-seller of goods and services in a given market. It could have been the case that an individual by the name of Vorkäufer made a living as a merchant who sold merchandise to other traders, innkeepers, or shop owners at a discounted price, prior to the item being resold at a higher cost. Alternatively, it is also possible that the name denotes a person who was the first to put goods and services up for sale in a marketplace.

Throughout the centuries, the suffix “äufer” has been used to denote specific types of service professions, crafts, and trades, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact line of work undertaken by the original holder of the surname. Many members of the Vorkäufer family later engaged in occupations such as farming, tailoring, butchers, brewers and tradesmen.

Today, the name is believed to be mainly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is estimated that at least 13,000 people still bear the Vorkäufer name, mostly living in Saxony, Bavaria, Thuringia, and Hesse, and rightly so, as it more than likely originates in those parts of Germany.

Vorkäufer: Where does the name Vorkäufer come from?

The last name Vorkäufer is most common in Germany today, particularly in the former East Berlin (East-Berlin Vorkäufer) and the states of Saxony Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Around 1,590 people in Germany have the last name Vorkäufer. Beyond Germany, the name is also common in Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The last name is an occupational name derived from a profession, that of a pre-seller (literally "fore-seller"). This was someone who would buy goods from farmers and then come to the local market to sell those goods to local merchants. It was a very common profession in areas with an agrarian economy in the Middle Ages. This practice continued as late as the 20th century in some parts of Germany and central Europe.

Interestingly, the surname Vorkäufer can also be found in a very different part of the world. People with this last name can be found in Brazil, where it was likely introduced during the 19th century when Brazilian immigrants migrated to Germany. In certain segments of Brazilian society, the name has since taken on a different form, most commonly "Vourakis" or "Vourakianos".

Thus, while the surname Vorkäufer is now particularly associated with Germany, its original occupational roots have enabled it to live on in various places around the globe. Nevertheless, it holds it most prominent place in Germany, where it is found among one and a half thousand people today.

Variations of the surname Vorkäufer

The surname Vorkäufer is a common German name that has been found in multiple regions across the country. The name has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Vorkauf, Vorkaef, Vorkauff, Voerkaefer, Vorkaesser, Voerkaefgen, Voerkaefler, Voerkeafer and Voerkeaef.

These variants of the surname Vorkäufer refer to someone who pre-purchases goods or merchandise. This was a common occupation in ancient Germany, and it could be found in all parts of the country. The name is derived from the German word "vorkaufen" which means "to pre-purchase" or "to buy in advance."

The spelling and pronunciation of this surname have changed over the centuries but the original meaning has stayed the same. Variations of the surname Vorkäufer are found throughout Europe in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other areas with German speaking populations. The surname may also be found spelled as Vorkauf, Vorkaef, Vorkauff, Voerkaefer, Vorkaesser, Voerkaefgen, Voerkaefler, Voerkeafer and Voerkeaef.

The surnames Voerkeafer, Voerkaefler and Voerkeaef are believed to have originated from Austria, while Vorkaesser and Vorkauff were most likely derived from Germany. The surname Voerkaefgen is believed to have originated in Bavaria, Germany.

Variations of the name Vorkäufer can also be found in Britain, with descendants of German immigrants bringing the name with them. In the United States, Vorkieffer, Vorkieffer and Berkeafer are some of the more common variations of the surname.

Famous people with the name Vorkäufer

• Ursula Vorkäufer-Kaina: former German Minister of State in the Federal Foreign Office.
• Michael Vorkäufer: German Olympic rower.
• Andrea Vorkäufer: Bavarian TV presenter and writer.
• Martin Vorkäufer: German chief financial officer and co-founder of two mutual funds.
• Hildegard Vorkäufer: German politician from the Christian Democratic Union.
• Ernst Vorkäufer: former president of the German football league, the Bundesliga.
• Marianne Vorkäufer: German actress and artist.
• Gerhard Vorkäufer: German classical guitarist.
• Gottfried Vorkäufer: German jazz pianist.
• Christian Vorkäufer: former mayor of Kiel, Germany.

Other surnames

Vorkauf