Surname Käfert - Meaning and Origin
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Käfert: What does the surname Käfert mean?
The last name Käfert is a German name, deriving from the word 'Kieffer', meaning 'barrelmaker.' The name likely originated as a nickname for a barrelmaker in the medieval period. In many dialects, the change from Kieffer to Käfert is also used phonetically.
Käfert could also be an occupational surname describing a cooper, someone who made barrels. It was most likely used by someone who worked in barrel-making or cooperage in some capacity. The barrel which symbolizes the family name is indicative of the steady diligence and honesty associated with the Käfert surname.
The Käfert family is likely of German origin, though other related branches may have spread to other regions farther east. Many Käferts have been found in records from as early as the 1500s in various areas of Germany. The Käferts of Bavaria and Württemberg concentrated around the area of Erfurt, Mainz, and Cologne, and the Käferts of Hesse concentrated around the Allgau, just south of Frankfurt.
The Käfert name is today found throughout central Europe, particularly in parts of Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. The Käfert name is also sometimes seen in America, due in part to a large influx of German immigrants in the 19th century.
The Käfert name is still strongly connected to the original profession of the Käfert family, that of barrel-making. It also evokes the idea of a long-standing family name rooted in history and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisKäfert: Where does the name Käfert come from?
The last name Käfert is most common today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It originally comes from the Franconian speaking region of Germany, suggesting the family name is among the oldest German last names.
Käfert is still a relatively uncommon surname, but it can still be found in small clusters across Germany, particularly in Bavaria, where approximatey 1,200 people carry the name. Additionally, a large portion of individuals with the last name Käfert also reside in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Outside of Germany, Käfert has been adopted by multiple generations of German immigrants who settled in countries like the United States, Canada, and Brazil. In the U.S., the name is most prominent in states like California, New York, and Pennsylvania.
As a predominantly Germanic name, the pronunciation of Käfert differs depending on the region. In Germany, the name is typically pronounced as [KAE-fert]. In Austria, it is usually pronounced with a hard [K] sound at the beginning yet retains the same inflection at the end.
Many variants of the Käfert surname exist today and have been adapted to different localities over the years. Notable alternative spellings include Käfer, Käferle, and Kaefert. All these names are believed to have the same root and all descend from an eponymous ancestor who was born in the 14th century.
Variations of the surname Käfert
Käfert is a surname of German origin. Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Kafert, Kaffert, Kaffer, Keffer, Kafferat, Kafferdt, Kaeferat, Käfferer, Käffert, Kaferat, Kaefert, Kaiffert, Keifferdt, Kaifferdt, Kaefferdt, Kaefferat, Kaeffer, Kaeffert, Kaefert, Kaefferth, and Kaefferdt.
Käfert is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Kaffe’, which means ‘coffee’. This surname was often given to people who sold or prepared coffee and it originates in the Old Habsburg Empire. It is related to the English word ‘coffee’.
In Germany, Käfert is mainly found in the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is also popular in Austria and parts of Switzerland. It is not a common surname in modern Germany but it is still used.
Käfert is a variant of the surname Kafer, which is even more rare. This variant is also found in the old Habsburg Empire and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Kaff’, which means ‘coffee cup’.
The surnames Kaeffert and Kaiffert are found mainly in the Prussian region of East Prussia. The surname Kaifferdt is mainly found in Austria.
Käfert is an uncommon name but it is still used in Europe and is derived from German roots. Its various spellings and surnames of the same origin can be found in many areas.
Famous people with the name Käfert
- Benjamin Käfer: German football player
- Uta Käfer: German actress
- Sophia Käfer:Austrian-born German reality TV star
- David Käfer: German actor
- Alexander Käfer: Austrian actor
- Uwe Käfer: German actor
- Andrea Käfer: German opera singer
- Kurt Käfer: Austrian actor
- Niklas Käfer: German actor
- Annemarie Käfer: Austrian author and artist