Kaufman County was created on February 26, 1848, and organized on August 7, 1848. It was named in honor of David Spangler Kaufman, who lived from 1812 to 1851. He came to Texas in 1837 and settled at Nacogdoches. He served as a member of the Texas Congress from 1839 to 1845 and as a member of the United States Congress. Kaufman is the county seat.