A German and Jewish surname meaning 'merchant' or 'trader'. Also refers to various notable individuals with this surname, particularly in entertainment and literature.
From Middle High German 'koufman', literally meaning 'buy-man' or merchant, from 'koufen' (to buy) plus 'man'. This occupational surname was commonly adopted by Jewish families in German-speaking regions during surname standardization periods.
Surnames like Kaufman tell the story of medieval commerce - when last names became mandatory, many people chose names reflecting their trade. The prevalence of merchant-related surnames in Jewish communities reflects historical economic roles and the mobility that trade required across different regions.
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