Surname Köpfler - Meaning and Origin

Köpfler: What does the surname Köpfler mean?

The last name Köpfler is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘köppen’, which means ‘head’. As such, Köpfler is a toponymic surname which originally referred to a person from a place known as ‘Köpf’. Köpf, itself, is thought to have taken its name from a features in its vicinity which had been formed in the shape of a head or from its being the site of a place of worship related to the god Wodan, who is often described as having a ‘Köpf’ (‘head’).

Köpfler was likely originally used as a nickname or surname to differentiate between members of the same family or group who lived near the same area. It saw increased usage across Germany from the 12th century and later spread to other countries. Today, Köpfler is a common surname in places like Austria, Bavaria, Luxembourg, and Belgium, among others. The name is also thought to have been adapted in parts of the English speaking world as Kopler.

Köpfler: Where does the name Köpfler come from?

The last name Köpfler is most commonly found today in the German speaking countries of Central Europe, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name Köpfler is a variant of the German name, Kaufmann, which means a merchant or trader in the old language. This name may have been taken as a surname by someone involved in trade or commerce during a time when last names started to be used.

In Germany, Köpfler is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and in the region of Swabia near the city of Stuttgart. In Austria, the most concentration of Köpfler families are in Lower Austria, Upper Austria and the Burgenland. The highest frequency of the Köpfler name is found in the Upper-Austrian district of Rohrbach, which is where the German-language surnames are most common in the Alpine Republic.

The Köpfler name can also be found in parts of the United States, as German immigrants have settled in many cities throughout various states. However, the families who moved to the U.S. from Germany in the 19th and 20th century generally adopted Anglicized versions of the Köpfler last name, often going by the name Cooper. In the U.S. the highest concentration of people with the last name Cooper are in Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Illinois, according to Ancestry.com.

Overall, the last name Köpfler is still widely found today in countries of the German-speaking areas of Central Europe, but is also present in American towns and cities due to the German immigrants who settle there.

Variations of the surname Köpfler

The surname Köpfler (or Kopfler) is of German origin and is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. The original spelling of the name was probably Köpfer, Köbfer, Kopfer, Kopfe or Köpfe, which are all related to smithing and the iron trade.

The most common modern spelling is Köpfler and other variants include Kopfler, Koepfler, Koepfle, Koepfel, Köbfl, Köbfle, Köpfle, Köpfel, Koepfler and Kopfle. It may also be spelled Cöpfler, Coepfler, Coepfle, Coepfel, Cöbfl, Cöbfle, Cöpfle, Cöpfel, Coepfler and Copfle.

The surname is thought to have originally been a topographic name, derived from the German word "kopf" meaning head or hill. It is believed that these names would have been given to those who lived on or near a hill or height. The variation in spelling likely arose from inconsistencies in spelling by local court clerks and parish registrars.

Surnames with similar roots and origins to Köpfler also include Kopf, Kopfweiss, Köpfle, Köpfel, Kopfendorf, Kopflan, Kopfman, Kopflein, Kopfchien, Kopfer, and Köpfen.

It should be noted that the spelling of Köpfler will differ depending on the country that the family is from. It has been changed and altered in some countries, such as the United States, where the spelling became “Caper.”

In conclusion, the surname Köpfler and its variants are believed to date back to the Middle Ages and likely originated from the topographical place-name "Kopf" meaning head or hill. The variations in spelling could have arisen from clerical errors when writing down names or from regional dialects. Related surnames include Kopf, Kopfweiss, Köpfle, Köpfel, Kopfendorf, Kopflan, Kopfman, Kopflein, Kopfchien, Kopfer, and Köpfen.

Famous people with the name Köpfler

• Martin Köpfler, Austrian soccer player.
• Albert Köpfler, Austrian medic, professor and writer.
• Wolfgang Köpfler, Austrian composer.
• Alexander Köpfler, German theater director.
• Rudolf Köpfler, Austrian author and journalist.
• Robert Köpfler, Austrian physician and surgeon.
• Friedrich Köpfler, Austrian medical doctor and geneticist.
• Lukas Köpfler, Austrian footballer.
• Josef Köpfler, Austrian philologist.
• Georg Köpfler, Austrian actor.
• Hans Köpfler, Austrian chess master.
• Markus Köpfler, Austrian luger.
• Eva Köpfler, Austrian singer.
• Christian Köpfler, Austrian sports and ski promoter.
• Josef Köpfler, Austrian film director and a screenwriter.
• Uwe Köpfler, German writer.
• Walter Köpfler, Swiss engineer and industrialist.

Other surnames

Köpfle