Is kaufman a Jewish name or a german Christian name or both?

Question:

Is kaufman a Jewish name or a german Christian name or both?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Kaufmann means <merchant> in German. The name could have been adopted by a Christian German in the Middle Ages when Christians were adopting last names in German, or in the 18th Century by Jews, when they adopted last names. There is a slight preponderance of Jews holding the name today, but no exclusivity.