Surname Großecappenberg - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Großecappenberg: What does the surname Großecappenberg mean?
The last name Großecappenberg is a topographic or habitational surname, meaning it is derived from the name of a place. It is a combination of the words “Große” (“large”) and “Cappenberg”, the small town near Detmold in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, where the family originated from. As a result, anyone bearing the name Großecappenberg is likely to be descended from people who lived in or near Cappenberg. The name may also be a variation of the last name Gross Cappenberger, also native to German area.
The Cappenberg family were originally landowners who originated from the small town of Cappenberg, and were ennobled as early as 1273. The family estate was important economically, and was also reputed for its large swaths of forest land, which were the subject of considerable taxation. This may have been a source of wealth for many holding the name.
Today, the name Großecappenberg is not particularly widespread, but is still found in certain parts of Germany, especially the region around Cappenberg. It can also be found in other parts of Europe, often due to family migration. Those who bear the name Großecappenberg are often proud of their family’s history, and still predominantly reside in the area where it originated.
Order DNA origin analysisGroßecappenberg: Where does the name Großecappenberg come from?
The last name Großecappenberg is most commonly found in Germany today, especially in the rural areas around the city of Dortmund in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a relatively rare surname, with only a few thousand people in Germany bearing it, and the vast majority of those living in the area surrounding Dortmund.
The region has historically been known for its coal and steel production, and this has always been a major part of its economy. As a result, many of the people with the last name Großecappenberg have worked in related industries. Today, some of them may have jobs in manufacturing, especially in the automotive industry, or in energy production.
There are also a small number of Großecappenbergs living in the U.S., mostly in the Midwest, where German immigrants settled in the 19th century. Some of these families have retained their original surname, and the name may also have been adopted by people from other German-speaking areas who settled in the U.S.
Given its roots, it is likely that the Großecappenberg name will remain common in Germany and in some parts of the United States for some time. However, as mobility between countries continues, it may become increasingly rare in both places in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Großecappenberg
The variant spellings and surnames of Großecappenberg are Gross-Cappenberg, Grosscappenberg, Groß-Cappenberg, Gross-Kappenberg, Grosskappenberg, Groß-Kappenberg, and Cappenberg.
Großecappenberg is a German topographic surname derived from dwellings located near a large chapel/church. It is a locational name which comes from the Old German word "cappe", meaning chapel and "berg", meaning mountain, hence Großecappenberg meaning ‘big chapel mountain’.
The variant forms of the Großecappenberg surname can be used interchangeably, and are usually regional.
Groß-Cappenberg is the most commonly used variant. It is mainly used in Bavarian, Austrian, and Prussian records as well as other German regions.
Grosscappenberg is used less frequently than Groß-Cappenberg, and is mostly found with families from the Halpern area.
Groß-Kappenberg is recorded in many records and documents from the Swabia area.
Gross-Kappenberg is used as both a surname and first name in Slovenia.
Grosskappenberg is mainly used as a surname in the Netherlands.
Another variant, Cappenberg, is used in current and old records in Germany, Prussia, and Austria. It is believed to have originated from the ancient word "cappo", meaning head, so the literal meaning of Cappenberg would be "head mountain".
Generally, the surname Großecappenberg has had multiple forms since the Middle Ages and although some have become more common than others, all of the forms are used by families from various regions around the world.
Famous people with the name Großecappenberg
- Uta Großecappenberg: German international beach volleyball player and champion, who currently plays for ASPTT Mulhouse
- John Großecappenberg: a popular YouTuber and self-proclaimed entrepreneur
- Lutz Großecappenberg: former professional tennis player from Germany
- Bernhard Großecappenberg: prominent German professor of Roman history
- Eva Großecappenberg: one of the most influential figures in modern German theater
- Robert Großecappenberg: former German footballer and current coach
- Klaus Großecappenberg: leading medical doctor in the field of cardiology in Germany
- Helmut Großecappenberg: renowned sinologist and professor of Chinese at Humboldt University, Berlin
- Cornelia Großecappenberg: long-distance runner and one of the first women to participate in the Olympic Games, representing Germany in 1948
- Zoe Großecappenberg: leading choreographer, teacher, mentor and actor from Germany