Find out how popular the last name Kauffmann is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kauffmann.

Kauffmann, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kauffmann surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kauffmann in America

Kauffmann is the 25486th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kauffmann surname appeared 970 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kauffmann.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kauffmann to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kauffmann

The surname Kauffmann is of German origin, derived from the German word "kaufmann," which means "merchant" or "trader." This name has its roots in the Middle Ages and was likely first used to identify individuals involved in commercial activities or those who lived in areas known for trading.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kauffmann can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Germany, such as Bavaria and Saxony. It is likely that the name was initially used as a descriptive term to distinguish merchants and traders from other professions, and over time, it became a hereditary surname.

In the 14th century, records from the city of Nuremberg mention several individuals with the surname Kauffmann, indicating their involvement in trade and commerce. One notable example is Hans Kauffmann, a wealthy merchant who lived in Nuremberg during the late 15th century and was known for his successful trading ventures.

The name Kauffmann also appears in various historical documents, such as church records and municipal registries. For instance, in the 16th century, the Kauffmann family was prominent in the city of Frankfurt, with several members serving as respected burghers and merchants.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Kauffmann was Johann Kauffmann, a German theologian and reformer born in 1567 in Worms. He played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation and was known for his writings on theology and philosophy.

In the 18th century, the name Kauffmann gained further prominence with the birth of Angelica Kauffmann (1741-1807), a Swiss-Austrian Neoclassical painter who achieved international acclaim for her portraits and historical paintings. She was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London and is considered one of the most influential female artists of her time.

Another notable individual with the surname Kauffmann was Friedrich Gottlob Kauffmann (1803-1871), a German architect and urban planner. He was instrumental in the development of several major cities in Germany, including Berlin and Frankfurt, and his designs were heavily influenced by Neoclassical and Renaissance architectural styles.

In the 19th century, the name Kauffmann was also associated with Herman Kauffmann (1808-1889), a German-American artist known for his landscape paintings depicting scenes from the American West. His works played a significant role in shaping the public perception of the western frontier during that era.

Throughout history, the surname Kauffmann has been carried by individuals from various professions and backgrounds, reflecting its origins as a name associated with merchants and traders. While the name may have evolved and taken on different spellings over time, its connection to the world of commerce and trade remains a central part of its historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kauffmann

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kauffmann.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kauffmann was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kauffmann has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Kauffmann was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kauffmann, please contact us.

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