Surname Koepfer - Meaning and Origin
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Koepfer: What does the surname Koepfer mean?
The last name Koepfer is of German origin and refers to someone who was a cooper or barrels-maker. The literal translation of Koepfer is ‘cooper’ or ‘barrel maker’, derived from the Middle High German word ‘kofer’ or ‘koffer’, which means ‘barrel’. It is also believed that the name is derived from the Middle High German word ‘keper’, which references a person who had the job of caring for batter or plate used in baking or winemaking.
By the Middle Ages, it was common practice for artisans to add a distinguishing prefix or suffix to their occupation, so Koepfer is likely the Germanic variation of ‘cooper’. In German, names ending in ‘er’ typically denote a person who is either an artisan or craftsman, so it appears that Koepfer is a name referring to an artisan in barrel making and wine production.
Koepfer is still a common surname in Germany today, although is also found in other countries which were under German rule at one time or another such as Austria, Poland and Bohemia. In addition, European emigrants to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries mean that Koepfer has been found in the US census records.
In summary, the surname Koepfer is of German origin and likely pertains to an artisan in the barrel-making or winemaking industry. It is still found in German-speaking countries today, due to its historical presence in Europe, as well as being found among the records of European emigrants to the US.
Order DNA origin analysisKoepfer: Where does the name Koepfer come from?
The surname Koepfer is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. The name is first recorded in the area during the 13th century when the Koepfer family was living near the Bavarian city of Kötzting.
The surname spread to other areas of southern Germany, such as Franconia. By the 16th century, many members of the Koepfer family had moved to Austria. The family spread across the country, establishing roots in Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Upper Austria.
Within Germany, Koepfer is still concentrated in Bavaria and Baden - Wurttemberg regions. The larger population centers including Munich, Stuttgart, and Augsburg are known to have significantly high Koepfer populations.
Today, the name is dispersed throughout Austria as well as areas of Alsace and Lorraine in Eastern France, the German speaking part of Switzerland and a German-speaking part of northern Italy. In these locations, you may find descendants of Koepfers who had lived in nearby Germany or Austria but then moved elsewhere.
In the United States, descendants of Koepfer families who immigrated in the 19th century can also be found primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana as well as across the rest of the country.
Variations of the surname Koepfer
The surname Koepfer is a German surname first appearing during the Medieval period. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Koepfer include Köpfer, Koeppfer, Köppfer, Köppfers, Köpfer, Kiefer, Kieffer, Kifer, Kieffers, Küpfer, Kieferle, Küffer, Koffer, Koffers, Kofferle, Koffert, Koppert, Koppfer, Koffel, Koffell, Kuppfer, Cupper, Kopfer, and Kopff.
Köpfer and Koeppfer are the most common surnames of this family, both originating from the Middle High German word “kopfer,” meaning “cutter.” Over the years, the spelling of this surname has changed significantly as people moved across Europe during the Middle Ages. Some of these variants, spellings, and surnames became more widespread within certain countries than others, which explains why up to a dozen surnames can derive from the same origin.
Within Germany, surnames such as Köppfer, Küpfer, Kieferle, and Küffer, are still found today. In Switzerland, Kifer and Kieffers are some of the most common. In Austria, the Kiefer surname prevails today, while in France, the Cupper and Koffell variations are more commonly found.
Each of these surnames can be traced back to the same roots, and are the result of hundreds of years of migrations and dialectical changes in various countries across Europe. The Koepfer family is a part of a rich history of surnames, which today has unfolded into dozens of variants, spelling and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Koepfer
- Jake Koepfer: Professional American football long snapper
- Jacob Koepfer: Professional golfer, known for playing on the PGA Tour Canada
- Thomas Koepfer: Former Swiss ski racer
- Kayla Koepfer: Professional beach volleyball player on the AVP tour
- John Koepfer: Former American football player
- Chris Koepfer: Professional racing and road cyclist
- Mike Koepfer: Professional ice hockey player
- Christian Koepfer: German poet and playwright
- Steve Koepfer: Former American-Israeli basketball player
- Frank Koepfer: Former German football manager