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

Kouf, 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 Kouf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kouf in America

Kouf is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kouf surname appeared 103 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 Kouf.

The history of the last name Kouf

The surname KOUF originated in Germany during the Middle Ages, with its earliest known roots tracing back to the 11th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old German word "koufen," which means "to buy" or "to trade." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to an occupation or profession related to commerce or trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KOUF surname can be found in the Codex Traditionum Westfalicarum, a medieval cartulary from the region of Westphalia, Germany. This document, compiled in the 13th century, contains references to individuals bearing the name KOUF, indicating that the surname had already established itself in that area by that time.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Johann KOUF (1320-1387) was mentioned in the annals of the city of Cologne. He was a prominent merchant and guild member who played a significant role in the city's trade and economic affairs during that era.

The KOUF surname also appears in various historical records from the 15th and 16th centuries, often associated with individuals involved in mercantile activities or residing in towns and cities known for their trade and commerce. For instance, the Nuremberg Chronicle, a famous illustrated world history book published in 1493, includes references to a family named KOUF residing in the city of Nuremberg, which was a major center of trade and craftsmanship during the Renaissance.

Another notable figure bearing the KOUF surname was Hans KOUF (1475-1548), a successful merchant and banker from the city of Augsburg, which was a significant trading hub in southern Germany during the 16th century. Hans KOUF was known for his extensive business dealings and his involvement in financing various economic and cultural endeavors in Augsburg.

In the 17th century, the KOUF surname can be found in records from the Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg, a historical state in northern Germany. One prominent individual was Dietrich KOUF (1620-1689), a landowner and influential figure in the local community who held various administrative positions within the duchy.

Throughout the centuries, the KOUF surname has undergone various spelling variations, such as Kouff, Kauf, and Kauff, reflecting regional linguistic differences and changes in orthography over time. However, the core meaning and origins of the name have remained closely tied to its association with trade and commerce in its German roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kouf

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

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 Kouf 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.

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 Kouf was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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