Surname Kopman - Meaning and Origin

Kopman: What does the surname Kopman mean?

The last name Kopman is of German origin and is derived from the name Koppmann, meaning "trader or dealer in small items of merchandise". This occupational surname refers to a variety of merchant-type roles, indicating that the original bearer of the name had a similar job. In some cases, Kopman could also be derived from the German word “kupfermann,” or “copper merchant.”

Kopman is an uncommon name, found mostly in Germany and other German-speaking lands, though records of the surname can be found in many other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The earliest known record of the name is from 1538, when a certain Johann Koppmann from the town of Speyer is mentioned in a register of citizens.

The Kopman surname is mostly associated with merchant-type occupations, particularly small-scale trade activities, as was the case with many surnames of the time. It suggests that the original bearers of the name likely held a non-aristocratic status, though Kopman families have achieved success through the generations in fields such as finance, law, medicine, and the military.

Today the Kopman surname is not as widespread as some other German-based surnames, though it is still alive and strong especially in the United States. It remains a rare and interesting part of German heritage.

Kopman: Where does the name Kopman come from?

The last name Kopman is common today primarily in Eastern Europe, particularly in Latvia and Lithuania, and can be found throughout Scandinavia. It is most common in the region surrounding the Baltic Sea, as well as in parts of Central Europe including Germany, Austria, Czechia, and Poland. It is also present in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine due to linguistic drift from those countries with historically strong Germanic language influences.

The name is of Germanic origin, and its literal translation is "wine merchant". It was first introduced in the 12th century, possibly indicating that the Kopman family were among those engaged in Germany's burgeoning wine trade. Since then, it spread through Europe with the migration of people, eventually reaching more distant countries like Russia and Belarus, and even outside the continent, notably the United States.

Today, the name Kopman is most commonly found among descendants of Baltic Germans, those who migrated from the Baltic region to other parts of Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also present in various other countries, particularly the United States, where it is listed as one of the most common families in the 1920s and 1930s.

Variations of the surname Kopman

Kopman is a common surname throughout the world, with many variations, spellings, and alternate surnames. In the United States, some of the most common variants of Kopman include Kopmann, Copman, Copmann, Koppman, Koppmann, Kupman, Kupmann, Koppen, Koppen, and Koppenhausen.

In Germany, the most common alternate spellings are Köpmann and Köppmann, although Kohpman, Kaupmann, and Kaufmann are also found. In the Netherlands, Kopman is written as Kopman and Koopman.

In Scandinavia, the Kopman surname appears in a variety of forms, most commonly as Kofman, Coppam, and Koppen. In the UK, the most common variants are Koppen, Copman, and Koppmann.

In eastern Europe, variants of Kopman include Kobman, Koepman, Kopmanovich, Kofman, and Kafman. Other spellings may also exist, depending on which country a Kopman ancestor was from.

The original origin of the Kopman surname is said to be a combination of two words - kop meaning “head” and “man” meaning “man” in Dutch. Thus, Kopman literally translates to “head man” and refers to a leader or manager in the community.

Today, Kopman is a common surname all over the world, with many variants and spellings to its name. No matter the spelling, however, these surnames all share a common origin, and offer insight into the history of the Kopman family.

Famous people with the name Kopman

• Larry Kopman: American lawyer and professor of law.
• Dmitry Kopman: Russian painter and winner of several prestigious international awards.
• Meir Kopman: Romanian-born Israeli singer and songwriter.
• Philippe Kopman: French jazz musician and composer.
• Robert Kopman: British-born American retailer.
• Annette Kopman: British stage and film actress.
• Stacey Kopman: American television personality and writer.
• Judith Kopman: American actress, best known for her acclaimed cameo role in "All My Children."
• Janna Kopman: American singer-songwriter and member of the Grammy-nominated pop-rock group "Roxanna.”
• Tom Kopman: American former professional football player.

Other surnames

KopmannKopmans