The surname Coffman is of English origin and is derived from the Old English and Old Norse given names Kolfi or Kolvi, which were compounded with the Old English word "man," meaning "man" or "servant." The name may have been a nickname for a strong or stout person, as "kolf" means "chisel" in Old Norse and could imply strength. Alternatively, it might have originated as an occupational name for a chiseler or smith. Over time, variations of the name such as Coffin, Cofield, and Kauffman also emerged due to spelling modifications and regional dialects.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Coffman
The meaning and origin of the last name Coffman
The surname Coffman is an Anglo-Saxon name of Old English origin. It derives from the occupational name "Coffeman," which meant "cooper." A cooper was a craftsman who made and repaired wooden containers, such as barrels and casks, primarily for storing and transporting liquids like beer and wine. The surname Coffman has several variants, including Coopman, Koffman, and Cohman, which may have arisen due to regional dialectical differences or errors in transcription over time. The name is most common in England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. In America, it was brought by early settlers, primarily from England and Germany, and is now widespread across many regions.
Geographical distribution of the last name Coffman
The surname Coffman is predominantly found in the United States, where it ranks among the top 6,000 most common names. Its concentration is particularly high in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri, reflecting its historical roots in these regions. The name's origin can be traced back to early English and German settlers who arrived in America during the 17th and 18th centuries. Over time, the spelling variations of the surname such as Cofman, Coopman, and Kaufmann may have arisen due to differences in transcription and translation. Beyond the United States, relatively fewer instances of the Coffman surname can be found, with some occurrences reported in Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Variants and spellings of the last name Coffman
The surname Coffman has several variations and spellings. These include:
1. Coffmann - This is an alternate spelling of the name, with double 'm' at the end.
2. Cofman - A less common variation where the 'f' in the middle is replaced by a 'ph'.
3. Koffman - An ethnic variant originating from Eastern Europe, where the 'c' is sometimes replaced by 'k'.
4. Copeman - While not directly related to Coffman, it shares a similar sound and may have arisen due to phonetic variations over time.
5. Caffman - A possible mis-spelling or variant of the original name.
6. Caofman - This could be a typographical error or an uncommon variation.
7. Koffmane - An alternative spelling that appends the 'e' at the end.
8. Coefman - Another unusual variation with a transposed 'e' and 'o'.
9. Caffmann - A variant where the double 'f' is replaced by 'ff'.
These variations may be found across different regions, reflecting regional dialects and historical transcription errors.
Famous people with the last name Coffman
Prominent individuals bearing the surname Coffman include:
1. James V. Coffman (1867-1945), an American politician who served as the governor of Colorado from 1931 to 1935.
2. David M. Coffman (1904-1994), a United States Navy admiral who was instrumental in establishing and developing the Nuclear Power Program during World War II.
3. John W. Coffman Jr. (born 1937), an American engineer and entrepreneur, known for his work on the Apollo program, and co-founding the company SpaceX.
4. Mary Elizabeth Coffman (1870-1956), an American educator, suffragist, and president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association from 1923 to 1924.
5. Richard W. Coffman (born 1954), an American politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio from 1985 until 1997.
Genealogical research on the last name Coffman
The surname Coffman originates from the Old English and Middle English "cofa" or "coffe," meaning "dove." This name was used as an occupational surname for someone who worked with doves, particularly in falconry. The name evolved through various forms such as Cuffeman, Cooffman, and Coffin during the Middle Ages.
The Coffman family is believed to have originated in England, specifically in Yorkshire, where records date back to the 12th century. Prominent members of the Coffman family include John Coffman, who served as a sheriff in Lancashire, England in the 14th century.
The surname Coffman was also found among the earliest settlers in America, with many arriving in the 17th and 18th centuries. Notable Americans with the surname include Samuel S. Coffman, a Union Army general during the American Civil War, and Mary Elizabeth Coffman, an activist who fought for women's suffrage in the early 20th century.
The Coffman family has been widely dispersed geographically over time, with significant populations found in England, America, Canada, and Australia. Today, the surname remains common in these countries and is also found among the descendants of German immigrants to America who adopted the name as a variant of Kopmann or Coppman.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname Cofer is of English origin, derived from the occupation of a cooper, who was a person who made and repaired wooden containers such as barrels and casks. The surname is ...
The surname Coff Lopes is of Portuguese origin. "Coff" is likely a variation of the surname "Covas," which is a habitational name referring to someone from Covas, a place in Portug...
The surname Coffin is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "cofa" which means "coffin," and was used as an occupational name for a maker of coffins or a funeral dir...
The last name Cofino is of Sephardic Jewish origin, with roots in Spain. It is believed to have originated from the town of Cofiño in the province of Asturias. Sephardic Jews were...
The surname Cofre is believed to have origins in Spain. It derives from a medieval occupational name for someone who was a maker of chests or coffers, from the Latin word "coffra" ...
