Show ContentsKaufmann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Kaufmann family

The surname Kaufmann was first found in Hanover, where the name could be considered to have made a great contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of modern Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses. They played important roles in the local and national conflicts at a time when groups sought power and status in an ever changing territorial profile.

Early History of the Kaufmann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kaufmann research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1444, 1469, 1530, 1679, 1735, 1753, 1773, 1795 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Kaufmann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kaufmann Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kaufmann, Kaufman, Kauffmann, Kauffman, Kofmann and many more.

Early Notables of the Kaufmann family

More information is included under the topic Early Kaufmann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kaufmann Ranking

In the United States, the name Kaufmann is the 6,913rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kaufmann is ranked the 8,673rd most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 2


Kaufmann migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kaufmann Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Fr. Kaufmann, aged 28,from Hanover who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Ferdinand" in 1844
  • Georg Kaufmann, who immigrated to Texas in 1846

Kaufmann migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kaufmann Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Jenny Kaufmann, (b. 1848), aged 20, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Gainsborough" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd May 1868 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Kaufmann (post 1700) +

  • Evan Kaufmann (b. 1984), American professional ice hockey forward
  • Edgar Kaufmann Jr. (1910-1989), American architect, lecturer, and author
  • Myron Kaufmann (1921-2010), American Jewish novelist
  • Felix Kaufmann (1895-1949), Austrian-American philosopher of law
  • William Weed Kaufmann (1918-2008), American nuclear strategist and adviser to seven defense secretaries
  • Mike Kaufmann (b. 1966), American heavy metal bass guitarist
  • Gordon Kaufmann (1888-1949), English born American architect
  • Edgar J. Kaufmann (1885-1955), prominent Jewish German-American businessman and philanthropist
  • Walter Arnold Kaufmann (1921-1980), German-American philosopher
  • Aloys P. Kaufmann (1902-1984), American Republican politician, Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, 1943-49; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1948, 1960 (alternate), 1964 (alternate) 4
  • ... (Another 34 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Bernhard Kaufmann (1893-1941), German Angestellter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5


Suggested Readings for the name Kaufmann +

  • Descendants of John J. Bontrager IV and Fanny Kauffman by Edna O. Yoder.
  • Ellen Virginia Kauffman by Patricia Jean Minger Vorenberg.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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