NameCensus.

UK surname

Kaufmann

An occupational surname referring to a merchant or trader, derived from the German word for "merchant."

In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Kaufmann surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 165, ranked #22,234, up from #26,134 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newcastle St Andrew, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Barnet and Brighton and Hove.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kaufmann is 183 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 211.3%.

1881 census count

53

Ranked #26,134

Modern count

165

2016, ranked #22,234

Peak year

1911

183 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kaufmann had 53 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,134 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016, ranked #22,234.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 183 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kaufmann surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kaufmann surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kaufmann surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Kaufmann over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1 #33,412
1861 historical 12 #32,329
1881 historical 53 #26,134
1891 historical 120 #21,292
1901 historical 160 #17,387
1911 historical 183 #15,811
1997 modern 131 #22,927
1998 modern 140 #22,615
1999 modern 149 #21,924
2000 modern 138 #22,960
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 146 #22,302
2003 modern 144 #22,270
2004 modern 136 #23,207
2005 modern 129 #23,963
2006 modern 133 #23,711
2007 modern 129 #24,503
2008 modern 133 #24,350
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 155 #22,985
2011 modern 153 #22,996
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 154 #23,210
2014 modern 157 #23,101
2015 modern 159 #22,796
2016 modern 165 #22,234

Geography

Back to top

Where Kaufmanns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newcastle St Andrew, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Toxteth Park and Enfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ealing, Barnet, Brighton and Hove and Camden. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Newcastle St Andrew Northumberland
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Enfield Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ealing 031 Ealing
2 Barnet 033 Barnet
3 Brighton and Hove 029 Brighton and Hove
4 Camden 002 Camden
5 Camden 005 Camden

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Kaufmann

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kaufmann surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Kaufmann

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kaufmann, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Kaufmann surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kaufmann household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kaufmann is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kaufmann is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kaufmann falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kaufmann is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kaufmann, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kaufmann

The surname Kaufmann originated in German-speaking regions of Europe during the Middle Ages. It is an occupational surname derived from the German word "Kaufmann," meaning "merchant" or "trader." The name reflects the occupation of the original bearer, who was likely involved in commercial activities such as buying and selling goods.

The earliest known records of the surname Kaufmann date back to the 13th century in various regions of modern-day Germany and Switzerland. One of the earliest documented instances is found in the Bavarian town of Kaufbeuren, where a merchant named Chunradus Kaufmann was mentioned in a document from 1293.

Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the Kaufmann surname appeared in various historical records, including municipal registers, tax rolls, and guild records. For instance, Hans Kaufmann was a prominent merchant in the city of Nuremberg during the late 15th century, known for his successful trading ventures.

In the 16th century, the Kaufmann family gained prominence in the city of Augsburg, where they were part of the wealthy merchant class. Johann Kaufmann (1487-1552) was a prominent banker and merchant who served as a municipal councilor and played a significant role in the city's economic and political affairs.

Another noteworthy individual was Sebastian Kaufmann (1507-1553), a German humanist scholar and theologian from Tübingen. He was known for his contributions to the Protestant Reformation and his writings on theology and philosophy.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Kaufmann surname spread across various regions of German-speaking Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and parts of present-day Poland and the Czech Republic. Notable figures from this period include Johann Gottfried Kaufmann (1679-1749), a German composer and organist from Leipzig, and Christian Kaufmann (1733-1807), a notable Swiss architect and sculptor from Graubünden.

In the 19th century, the Kaufmann family gained prominence in the field of commerce and industry. Abraham Kaufmann (1832-1915) was a German industrialist and entrepreneur who founded the Kaufmann & Söhne textile company in Brötzingen, which became one of the largest textile manufacturers in Europe.

As the Kaufmann surname spread across Europe and beyond, it has been associated with various notable individuals throughout history, including scholars, artists, and businesspeople, reflecting its roots as an occupational surname connected to the merchant and trading professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Kaufmann families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kaufmann surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 17 Kaufmanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.06x.

County Total Index
Durham 17 11.06x
Middlesex 9 1.74x
Kent 8 4.54x
Yorkshire 7 1.37x
Northumberland 5 6.50x
Lincolnshire 4 4.84x
Nottinghamshire 3 4.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 9 Kaufmanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.18x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 9 68.18x
Greenwich 8 97.21x
Hartlepool 7 319.63x
Holy Trinity 7 56.82x
Kensington London 7 24.36x
Newcastle On Tyne St 5 125.31x
Great Grimsby 4 76.34x
Nottingham St Mary 3 16.65x
Gateshead 1 8.69x
Shoreditch London 1 4.46x
St Marylebone London 1 3.62x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kaufmann surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Emily 2
M. 2
Mary 2
Alice 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Bella 1
Berthe 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Henereyete 1
Henrietta 1
Janet 1
Julia 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Marie 1
Rachel 1
Rosalie 1
Rose 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kaufmann surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Adolph 2
C. 2
James 2
A. 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Christian 1
David 1
Emanuel 1
Ernest 1
G. 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Johan 1
Joseph 1
Julius 1
Michael 1
P. 1
Samuel 1
Solomon 1
Sydney 1
Vere 1
W. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kaufmann households.

FAQ

Kaufmann surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kaufmann surname in 1881?

In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Kaufmann surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kaufmann surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016. That gives Kaufmann a modern rank of #22,234.

What does the Kaufmann surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a merchant or trader, derived from the German word for "merchant."

What does the Kaufmann map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kaufmann bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.