Surname Epp - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Family Roots and Unraveling the History of the Epp Clan through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Delving into the historical tributaries of my family name Epp, my experience with iGENEA’s DNA analysis unfolded a riveting story of migration, resilience, assimilation, and diversity embedded in my genetic blueprint. It was a journey into the past, revealing The Epps' dispersion across continents and cultures.

I. Epp

Epp: What does the surname Epp mean?

The last name Epp is of German origin. It is primarily a metonymic occupational name derived from the southern German word “Epfel”, which means apple. Therefore, it was likely used to refer to someone who worked as an apple grower or seller. The name might also be topographic, referring to a person living near an apple tree. The variations of the name include Epps, Epple, Eppel, Äpfel, and others. Name distribution statistics show that the Epp surname is most prevalent in Germany and has the highest density in Kazakhstan. It is also quite common in Canada due to the immigration of German Mennonites in the 17th and 18th centuries. Personalities with the Epp surname include visual artists like Erika Epp and parliamentarians like Ted Epp.

Epp: Where does the name Epp come from?

The surname Epp is a shortened variant of Epple, which itself is derived from the old Germanic personal name ‘Eberhard’, meaning boar-hardy. The surname is of eminent antiquity in Germany and primarily has its roots there. The name suggests characteristics of strength, obstinacy, and toughness.

Today, it is still fairly common in Germany. Notably, it is also prevalent in the Mennonite communities around the world due to the Mennonite emigration from the Netherlands and North Germany to Russia and eventually to North and South America. Therefore, you'll find a significant number of people with the Epp surname in countries like Canada and the United States, especially in historically Mennonite areas. Even with these migrations, the surname remains more common in Germany.

Variations of the surname Epp

The surname Epp is primarily German in origin. Variations, alternate spellings, and cognates of this surname can offer a broad perspective on its roots and evolution. Some variants and similar surnames to Epp may include Epps, Epper, Eppes, Epperly, and Eppe.

The surname Epp also has a link to Jewish (Ashkenazic) heritage where it's quite common. It can often represent a variation of Hebrew names such as Ephraim.

In some cases, the surname Epp could also be a shortened version of longer surnames such as Epperson, Epple, or Epprecht.

The spelling can also have slight differences in various regions due to local dialects and language impacts. For instance, in some regions, the name might be spelled as "Ebbe" or "Ebbeke".

Derivatives of the surname based on occupational or geographical signs may also exist. For instance, Epple derived from 'Apfel', denoting a person who lived near an apple tree or was a grower or seller of apples.

As surnames often change over centuries due to immigration and translation, it is possible there are other related forms not mentioned here.

Famous people with the name Epp

• Morgan Epp: Morgan Epp is an up-and-coming musician from Canada, who released her debut EP in 2020.
• Sven Epp: Sven Epp is a German actor, who has appeared in numerous films and television series, including Die Brücke, Wilsberg, and Klass.
• Kevin Epp: Kevin Epp is a Canadian comedy writer and producer, best known for his work on the animated series, Total Drama Island.
• Jesse Epp-Fransen: Jesse Epp-Fransen is an American singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt and passionate folk melodies.
• Rebecca Epp: Rebecca Epp is a Canadian photographer, best known for her intimate portraits and landscapes.
• Kelsey Epp: Kelsey Epp is a Canadian paralympic swimmer, who won three gold medals in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
• Dan Epp: Dan Epp is a Canadian filmmaker, best known for creating the critically acclaimed films, I Was A Child of Holocaust Survivors and Places Not Our Own.
• Kris Epp: Kris Epp is a Canadian politician, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta since 2015.
• Oskar Epp: Oskar Epp is a German athlete, specializing in long-distance running.
• Chris Epp: Chris Epp is an American professional hockey player, who currently plays for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.

Other surnames

EppeEppelEppelbaimEppelbamEppelbaumEppelbeymEppelboimEppelbojmEppelbomEppelboomEppelbumEppeleEppeleinEppelinEppelmannEppelsEppelsheimEppelsheimerEppeltEppenEppensEpperEpperleinEpperlinEppersEppersonEppertEppesEppichEpping