Surname Köfler - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Köfler Tale: A Voyage into My Ancestry via DNA Analysis with iGENEA
Venturing into my heritage with iGENEA DNA analysis offered an illuminating dive into my family history. The Köfler name, once an opaque window into my past, was brought into sharp relief, revealing vibrant tales of Alpine origins, resilience, migration, and deep-rooted occupational identity.
X. Köfler
read moreKöfler: What does the surname Köfler mean?
The surname Köfler is of Germanic origin, derived from the Middle High German word 'koffler'. This word is derived from an ancient German verb meaning 'to hammer', and the original bearer of the surname was likely a blacksmith or metalworker. As metalworking was an important trade during the Middle Ages, the surname was likely formed as a way to differentiate between different craftsmen.
The name Köfler is one of many variations of the original 'Koffler' surname, with others including Koffler, Köffler and Koffer. It is most common in Germany and Austria and variants can be found in many other countries.
Today, the Köfler surname is associated with hard work, endurance and determination. The original bearers of the name are remembered in stories and folktales as skilled craftsmen and renowned problem solvers. The Köfler name is a proud one that stands for strength in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisKöfler: Where does the name Köfler come from?
The last name Köfler is an Austrian surname. The name itself is derived from the word “Köfler,” which refers to a person who maintained or operated a stein, or brewery tap. Today, the Köfler surname can be found mainly in Southern Germany, Tyrol, and Austria, especially in the High Alps.
Incidence of the Köfler surname is highest in Austria, where it ranks as the 373rd most popular family name with 1,820 bearers in 2020. Most of these bearers are concentrated in the mountainous Tyrol region, particularly in the two cities of Innsbruck and Lech. Köfler is also popular in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where it is the 1,855th and 1,639th most frequent surname, respectively. It is also present in Switzerland, where 358 people bear the name.
The Köfler surname is also found in other countries, but incidence is much lower. According to one source, of the people with this last name living in the United States, the majority are of German and Austrian descent. Additionally, the Köfler surname can be found in Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium, as well as other countries in Europe.
Overall, it seems that the Köfler surname is most prominent in Austria and Germany today, with the Southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as well as the alpine Tyrol region, being particularly important in terms of incidence. It is also present in other parts of Europe and in North America, though in much smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Köfler
Köfler is a surname of German origin, usually found in areas like Bavaria, Austria and other German-speaking countries. It is most commonly found as Köfler, but other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same root include Köefler, Koffler, Köffler, Koeffler, Koehler, Kuhfler, Kuhfeller, and Kühfler.
Köfler is derived from the Middle High German kövel which means cobbler or shoemaker. This is supported by the fact that varieties of the surname have been found in areas with a history of cobbling and shoemaking. For example, in 1386 a Köffler was recorded in a Gmunden church book of the Province of Upper Austria. This suggests that the surname originated as an occupational name.
In some cases, the spelling has been changed to be more closely associated with the German word “Kuhf” which means cow. This means that variants like Kuhfler, Kuhfeller, and Kühfler can be found.
The variants of the surname can also be found in English spelling as Koffler, Koeffler and Koehler. This is due to the process of German emigrants anglicising their names, in particular during the 19th century.
Overall, Köfler is a surname of German origin, which has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same root, including Köefler, Koffler, Köffler, Koeffler, Koehler, Kuhfler, Kuhfeller, and Kühfler. Additionally, anglicised variants can be found written in the English spelling.
Famous people with the name Köfler
- Franz Köfler (1876-1960): Austro-Hungarian architect, painter and art professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- Florian Köfler (born 1978): Austrian alpine skier who competed in multiple World Cup events
- Ignaz Köfler (1863-1922): German sculptor who was active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- Günter Köfler (born 1954): Austrian chess master and player
- Andreas Köfler (born 1971): Austrian professional ice hockey player
- Maximilian Köfler (born 1980): Austrian football player
- Karl Köfler (1890-1969): Major in the German Wehrmacht during World War II
- Maria Köfler (born 1985): Austrian cyclist who has won multiple national championships
- Johann Köfler (1827-1905): Austrian composer and conductor
- Johannes Köfler (born 1991): Austrian ski jumper and holder of multiple national records.