Surname Kopez - Meaning and Origin
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Kopez: What does the surname Kopez mean?
The last name Kopez is a Jewish surname of Ashkenazic origin. It comes from the Hebrew name כּוֹפז (Kopaz), which is derived from the Hebrew word כֹּפֶס (kofes), meaning “beggar”. This surname initially referred to someone who begged for alms in the Jewish community or who was in need of charity.
The Kopez surname is found mainly in Eastern Europe, though it is also found in North America. In the pre-modern era of Jewish culture, many Jewish families took a second surname, or added a suffix such as -man (“son of”) or -son (“child of”) to their family name. This could be done to distinguish a certain branch of the family or give each family member a unique name. Some people also added a descriptive adjective or a name of a geographical location in front of the surname, which could explain the presence of the Kopez last name across many countries.
Today, the Kopez surname is used by many families across the world, and it is an important part of Jewish history and culture. It is often seen as a sign of perseverance and strength, as it originally referred to a family who had to beg for charity, yet still showed great resilience by eventually taking on the surname Kopez.
Order DNA origin analysisKopez: Where does the name Kopez come from?
The last name Kopez is most commonly seen in Eastern Europe, particularly in countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The surname originated in Poland, and is derived from the Polish word kopec, which means hill or heap. The Kopez surname is also seen in some parts of Western Europe, especially in parts of Germany, the Netherlands and France. In the United States, the Kopez surname can be found amongst first-generation immigrants and their descendants, as well as amongst people of Polish-American heritage. In Canada, Kopez is most commonly found in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta, which have both seen a large influx of Eastern European immigrants.
In general, Kopez is viewed as a relatively uncommon last name, although it might be found in larger concentrations in certain areas with large Eastern European populations. The surname typically appears with different variations, such as Kopeć, Kópéc, Koepcke, Köpf, Kopetsky, Kopeick and Koppec. The variations in spelling are a result of the various languages that have shaped the region throughout its history.
Variations of the surname Kopez
The surname Kopez has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Kopecek, Kopeck, Kopece, Kopec, Kopecz, Kopetz, Kopz, Kopeček, Kopeč, Kopal, Kopalek, Kopas, Kopasz, and Kapus.
Kopecek is a name taken from the occupation of a barrel maker; it is a diminutive form of Kopec, which is derived from the Slovak for 'barrel'.
Kopeck is the particular variant used in Bohemia and Slovakia and is derived from the Czech word "kopec" meaning basket.
Kopece and Kopec are further variants of the Czech and Slovak version of this surname, meaning small barrel.
Kopecz is likely a Germanized form of the name Kopecek, with the suffix -ez being a Germanization of the Slavic suffix -ce.
Kopetz, Kopz and Kopeček are further variants of the above surnames derived from the Czech, Slovak and German prefixes of the name.
Kopeč and Kopal are the surnames used by people of Czech descent and mean the same thing as the other versions, but with the letter 'č' for 'c' and 'l' for 'z'.
Kopalek is a derivative of Kopal, found in South Bohemia.
Kopas and Kopasz are the Polonized forms of the surname, derived from the Czech word Kopec meaning basket.
Kapus is a Hungarian version of the surname which is derived from the Hungarian word for basket, “kapu.”
In summary, the surname Kopez has many different variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, all meaning “small barrel” or “basket” in Czech, Slovak, German, Polish, and Hungarian.
Famous people with the name Kopez
- David Kopez: US Navy Vet, American fashion videographer and creative director based in Los Angeles.
- Lee Kopez: Former Major League Baseball Player who played 33 years in the MLB.
- Mark Kopez: NFL offensive guard for the New York Giants from 1972-1983.
- Jeff Kopez: Grammy award-winning record producer best known for his work with Def Jam Records and Bad Boy Entertainment.
- Marv Kopez: Former NFL offensive tackle who played with the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins from 1969 to 1978.
- Maromi Kopez: Japanese professional wrestler currently signed with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- Lauren Kopez: American Hip-hop artist from New York City.
- Paul Kopez: Polish American comic book artist who’s best known for his work on Marvel comics like The Amazing Spider-man and X-men.
- Joe Kopez: US Army veteran and former Los Angeles deputy sheriff. Also an actor in the 2006 movie World Trade Center.
- Paul Kopez: Automotive journalist and car design expert from New York City. He’s the founder of PaulKopez Media and has written for some of the biggest names in the automotive industry.