Surname Koppe - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Mystery of the Surname Koppe Through an iGENEA DNA Test
I delved into my past through a DNA test at iGenea with a focus on learning more about the origins and history of the surname "Koppe". The process was straightforward and the results were accurate, revealing fascinating details about my ancestry.
L. Koppe
read moreKoppe: What does the surname Koppe mean?
The last name Koppe is a German name that may have originally meant one who lived near a hill. It may have been derived from the German word 'Kopf', which translates to 'head' or 'top'. The term may have been used to describe someone living at the top of a hill, or someone who lived in a prominent place.
Today, those who bear the Koppe surname can trace it back to the Middle-Ages, where it was likely first used in the region of Bavaria in Germany. The name is common throughout Germany and is often seen spelled with alternative spellings such as Koeppe, Köppe, Köppen, Koppen, Kopp, and Copp.
Those with the Koppe surname can find evidence of their lineage within large church records from the sixth and seventeenth centuries. During this time, many individuals took the name as a distinguishing suffix to differentiate themselves from their extended family.
Over time, as many of those with the Koppe surname spread across Europe and beyond, the meaning of the name has been obscured. That said, it is still a meaningful name, given its long history in many parts of Germany, symbolizing a tie to an individual's homeland, culture, and family.
Order DNA origin analysisKoppe: Where does the name Koppe come from?
The last name Koppe is predominantly found in Germany today, particularly in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also widely distributed in southern parts of the Netherlands, particularly the province of Limburg.
Koppe is an old name of Germanic origin and is derived from the surname “Kopplin”, which originated from the middle Dutch word “cop”, meaning an artificial hill or mound. Later, it came to be used specifically to mean a fortified watching post.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Koppe name can be found in towns and villages such as Kakerbeck, Velbeck, Geseke and Iserlohn and is listed in the official birth registers of the area. Similarly, in the Limburg region of the Netherlands, the name is often used as a family name to this day and can be found listed in birth and marriage records.
Koppe is also seen in parts of Austria, where the name is usually derived from the German name “Kapper” or “Kopf”. It is also possible to find the name in parts of Poland, where it is usually spelt “Kopyc” and derives from the old Polish word for head, “cko”.
Overall, the name Koppe is a common German name and is historically linked to regions in Germany, Netherlands and Austria, with some spread into Poland. It is still frequently used as a surname today in these areas.
Variations of the surname Koppe
Koppe is a German surname, originating from the Middle High German word kop(p)e and can be found with a variety of spellings and variants.
The most common spelling of Koppe is ‘Kopp’. This spelling is used mainly in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Belgium; it is also found in Canada and Australia.
The other variants of Koppe include Copp, Kopper, Köpper, Köppe, Köppen, Köppl, Köpte, Koppel, and Kopple. These spellings are mainly used in North America.
The surname Koppe is also found spelled as Coppes and Coppess in countries such as the United Kingdom, Israel, Netherlands, and Spain.
Variations of Koppe that are used in Scandinavia include Koppi, Koppinen, and Koppinen-Rantsi. The surname Koppe can also be found spelled as Koep in Denmark.
The majority of the Koppe surname can be found with a variety of spelling variations across the world and beyond. Nevertheless, all of these variations are considered to have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Koppe
- Pete Koppe: German former footballer
- Lotte Koppe: Dutch entrepreneur
- Ansgar Koppe: German celebrity chef
- Petrus Koppe: Dutch historical theologian
- Karl Koppe: German sculptor
- Hugo Koppe: German zoologist
- Barbara Koppe: German award-winning children's book illustrator
- Anton Koppe: German/Austrian art historian
- Artur Koppe: Polish politician
- André Koppe: Brazilian footballer