Surname Teppner - Meaning and Origin
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Teppner: What does the surname Teppner mean?
The last name Teppner is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German word “teppen,” which means “carpenter.” It is a surname that most likely began as an occupational name for a carpenter in medieval Germany, although it could also have started as an occupational name for a sweeper or broom maker since the same word, “teppen,” is used in that context.
The word “teppen” is derived from the medieval Latin word “type,” which means “movable frame.” It is likely that the first Teppners were very skilled in the construction and use of these frames, which were used in carpentry, woodworking and furniture-making. As such, Teppner was a name that indicated belonging to a very skilled and influential craft guild.
Today, the surname Teppner is still quite common in Germany, although it has spread to other countries as well. As other countries began to industrialize and urbanize, some of the Teppners chose to migrate in search of new opportunities. This accounts for the family name being quite common in the United States, Canada and throughout Europe today.
Order DNA origin analysisTeppner: Where does the name Teppner come from?
The last name Teppner is most commonly found in Germany today, though there are a few other countries where it has been seen sporadically. Germany has the highest population of Teppners, with the most concentrated areas being in East Prussia and Silesia.
Historically, the Teppner name is associated with a family of Polish nobility who had ancestral roots in Silesia. The family had large estates and held various titles, such as baron and knight. Later, the family division of the Teppners moved to other parts of Europe, such as Hungary, Bohemia, and Austria, and some eventually ended up in what is now modern-day Germany.
It is also possible that some Teppner families emigrated to the United States during various periods of immigration between the mid-1800s and early 1900s. There is no reliable data on the exact numbers of Teppners who moved to the US or any other countries during this period, so it is hard to determine the overall global presence of the Teppner name today outside of Germany.
Regardless, the Teppner name is still found in significant numbers in the areas of Germany where the family first settled, though not as prevalently as it once was. In addition, those born with the name Teppner likely have a good chance of being related to one another, due to the small populations in which the name is used today.
Variations of the surname Teppner
The surname Teppner is also spelt as Tepner, Tebner, Tebener, and Temner. These variations are all derived from the Middle German name Täppener, meaning weaver or tapestry maker. The origins of this surname come from central Germany, mainly in areas of Oldenburg and Braunschweig.
Variations in spelling can be noted in different German-speaking countries. In Austria, for example, the surname is spelt as Täppner, whereas in the north German regions, the surname is modified as Teppner. In South Germany, people with this surname are spelt as Tebener.
Other surnames of the same origin include Tebner, Temner, Tensner, Tegener, Teebner, and Tippner. Interestingly, when the Teppner family migrated from Germany to the United States, the surname changed to Tepner, the Americanized version of the name.
The surname Teppner holds religious significance as it is traditional for the first born son of a family to have their father's given name as their surname. The Teppner family are descended from noble lineages, with many individuals in the family achieving positions in law, architecture and government.
Famous people with the name Teppner
- Teteh Bangura: Teteh Bangura is a Brazilian soccer player who plays for Portuguese football club C.D. Mafra.
- Art Teppner: Art Teppner was an American racecar driver who competed in the Indianapolis 500 in 1914.
- Johannes Teppner: Johannes Teppner was a German actor of the silent film era. He is best known for his performances in the 1925 film The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb and its 1926 sequel The Kan-Gul Plague.
- Anne-Marie Teppner: Anne-Marie Teppner is a French female javelin thrower who has held the national record since 2000.
- Evelin Teppner: Evelin Teppner is an Austrian competitive figure skater, who won a silver medal at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships.
- Axel Teppner: Axel Teppner is a German professional soccer player who plays for the Hamburg SV club.
- Siegfried Teppner: Siegfried Teppner was a German sailor who won a bronze medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in the Soling class event.
- Dieter Teppner: Dieter Teppner is a German documentary filmmaker and writer. He is best known for his film “Goodbye Lenin!” which won the 2002 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
- Kurt Teppner: Kurt Teppner was a German alpine skier who won a bronze medal in slalom at the 1952 Winter Olympics.