Surname Köper - Meaning and Origin
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Köper: What does the surname Köper mean?
The surname Köper is found primarily in northern Germany and is derived from the German word “Köpfer” or “Kopfer,” meaning cooper or barrel-maker. It was used to indicate a resident or tradesman who made and maintained wooden vessels, primarily barrels. It is also possible that the name was used for someone who made and repaired other wooden household items, such as chests or cupboards.
The occupation of cooper was an important one in medieval Germany, as wood was the most widely available material for the construction of a variety of objects. Brewers, which were commonly found in towns, utilized coopers for the construction of beer vats and kegs, while wine-makers employed them for building and repairing wine barrels. Coopers also produced wooden casks for the storage of butter, cheese, and other goods.
The rise of barrel-making eventually provided an opportunity for economic advancement, as increasingly sophisticated and costly techniques developed that would require the craftsman to take on a higher economic status in society. This allowed for families to become well-off, and the surname Köper signifies a level of prestige associated with barrel-making in northern Germany.
Today, the surname Köper is still in use in northern Germany, in addition to areas of Scandinavia and the Netherlands, among others. It is used as both a first and last name, continuing to preserve the legacy of barrel-making from centuries past.
Order DNA origin analysisKöper: Where does the name Köper come from?
The surname Köper is most often found in Germany and other countries in western Europe, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. According to certain surname databases, Köper can be found throughout Germany, but is especially common in the region of North Rhine Westphalia. The surname is also frequently found in Hessian towns and cities, such as Mainz, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt.
In addition, the Köper surname can be found in Austria and in countries with ethnic German populations, such as Hungary, Romania, and the Czech Republic. This suggests that the Köper surname may have originally been German, with people carrying the name immigrating since the eighteenth century.
Lastly, Köper is also found among those of Jewish heritage, as well as those of Italian or converted Roman Catholic origins. This could indicate that the Köper surname may have multiple origins and different variations depending on the geographical location and heritage of an individual.
In summary, the last name Köper is most commonly found in western Europe, particularly in Germany and in countries with German-speaking populations. Variations of the surname may also be found in countries with Jewish or Italian communities.
Variations of the surname Köper
Köper is a German surname, derived from the German word Köper, meaning a merchant or trader. It is a very common surname in Germany, and many variations and spellings of it exist. Some of the most common variants of the surname Köper include Kauper, Kaupper, Kaeufer, Kaufmann, Koepke, Koepfer, and Koepfler.
Kauper or Kaupper is a variation of the surname, derived from a nickname for a merchant or trader. These variations are found mainly in Northern Germany. It is sometimes seen spelled as Kauperr.
Kaeufer is another variation of the surname Köper found mainly in the southern region of Germany. It is derived from the German word “Kauf” which means “trade”.
Kaufmann is a variation which is derived from the German word “Kaufmann” which refers to a merchant. This is a very common variation in German-speaking countries.
Koepke, Koepfer, and Koepfler are also variations. These are derived from the old Germanic name “Kawepizz”, which meant “trader”. These variations are found mainly in the southern regions of Germany.
Some other variations of the surname Köper include Kopel, Koeppen, Koeper, Koepsell, Köpplein, Koepelin, and Koeppl. These variations are mainly found in Bavaria and surrounding areas.
The surnames Köper, Kauper, Kaupper, Kaeufer, Kaufmann, Koepke, Koepfer, and Koepfler all have the same origin, and can be seen as variant spellings of the same surname. All of these variants are found in German-speaking countries, and some exist in other countries as well.
Famous people with the name Köper
- Artur Köper (1854-1921), German politician
- Ann Köper (1848-1935), German painter and illustrator
- Andreas Köper (1954-present), German Olympic field hockey player
- Olaf Köper (1949-present), German politician
- Alexander Köper (1975-present), German mathematician and computer scientist
- Bernd Köper (1951-present), German sociologist
- Richard Köper (1945-present), German actor
- Wilfried Köper (1941-present), German entrepreneur
- Verena Koeper (1956-present), German artist and author
- Erich Köper (1936-present), German theologian
- Wolfgang Köper (1957-present), German businessman
- Erhard Köper (1916-present), German sociologist
- Josef Köper (1902-1987), German mathematician
- Stephan Köper (1962-present), German skier
- Henry Köper (1896-1966), German entomologist