Surname Koopmans - Meaning and Origin
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Koopmans: What does the surname Koopmans mean?
The last name Koopmans is a Dutch occupational surname meaning "cooper," which is derived from the Old High German word "kupar," meaning "tub or vat." The literal English translation of Koopmans is "barrel maker."
In the late Middle Ages, wooden barrels were used for storage, transport, and fermentation of beer and wine, making the job of the cooper an important profession during this time. As a result of the popularity of barrel making, the surname Koopmans (or variations of it, such as Koopman) is common to many areas in the Dutch-speaking Netherlands and the Dutch-speaking Flemish parts of Belgium.
The occupational nature of the surname Koopmans is often reflected in its associated heraldic symbols. The bearer of the surname Koopmans is typically associated with an oak tree surrounded by curved bands with clusters of grapes, both of which symbolize the cooper's craft. Other variations of the Koopmans surname include 'Koebman', 'Kooperman' or 'Koopman'.
There is evidence that the family name Koopmans dates back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest surnames in existence. This ancient past suggests that the family associated with the surname Koopmans has roots that span centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKoopmans: Where does the name Koopmans come from?
The last name Koopmans is a Dutch surname that is common in the Netherlands today, mostly in the provinces of Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, and Overijssel. It is derived from the Low German word "koopman," which means merchant. The surname was likely chosen by a family of merchants, as the name would have been a sign of their success.
Outside the Netherlands, Koopmans is a fairly rare name. It is found in western Germany, northern France, Denmark, and Sweden, where it has been adopted by Dutch expatriates. In the United States, Koopmans is especially common in ethnic Dutch regions like Michigan and Pennsylvania, although the name can also be found across the country.
Koopmans may also still exist in the Dutch East and West Indies, as some families may have retained the name after the Netherlands lost control of those islands. In Indonesia, a few people have kept the surname Koopmans, although there are only a few dozen people who still use it.
In sum, the last name Koopmans is most commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, and Overijssel. It can also be found across the Netherlands' expatriate communities and, to a lesser degree, in parts of Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, the United States, and Indonesia.
Variations of the surname Koopmans
The spelling and surname variants of Koopmans include:
Koopman, Koopmans, Koopmann, Kooppman, Copman, Copmans, Copmann, Cooppman, Kuppman, Kuppmann, Koppman, Koppmann, Koopmansz, Kopman, and Koppmans.
Koopmans is a Dutch patronymic surname, derived from the given name Koop, a short form of Jacob. The surname "Koopman" may be used as a van der Koopman (from the Koop), meaning "person from the Koop" and is likely a place or habitational name derived from the given name Koop. It is a very common surname in the Netherlands as many variations have emerged over the years.
Koopman is the most common spelling of the surname in the Netherlands, but Koopmans and Koopmann are also popular there. Koopmans is the most common spelling for the surname in Flanders (northern Belgium). Copman is a variant of the surname found mainly in the United States and Canada, likely derived from an anglicized or phonetic spelling of Koopman.
Kuppman and Koppman are variants of the Koopman surname that primarily found in Germany, from the Koopman emigrants. Kuppmann and Koppmann are alternate spellings of the same name. Koopmansz is an older Dutch spelling of the Koopman name. Kopman is an anglicized spelling found in the United Kingdom, likely an attempt to give a more British spelling to the Dutch surname. Finally, Koppmans is a common spelling of the surname in Australia.
Famous people with the name Koopmans
- Koopmans and Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven
- Dutch footballer Jens Koopmans
- Dutch speed skater Stien Kaiser
- Actor and television director Geert Koopmans
- Dutch actor and television director Youri Koopmans
- Dutch actor Jorrit Koopmans
- Dutch actress and singer Jenna Koopmans
- Dutch singer and comedian Kyra Koopmans
- Dutch artist Dennis Koopmans
- Former Dutch field hockey player Mieke Koopmans