Surname Opfermann - Meaning and Origin
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Opfermann: What does the surname Opfermann mean?
The last name Opfermann is a German surname deriving from the Middle High German word “Opfer” which means “victim” or “sacrifice.” The origin of the word is rooted in the ancient practice of offering up a sacrificial animal or object to the gods in exchange for protection, blessing, and good fortune. It is speculated that the name either originated from families that owned a large number of sacrificial animals or as a reference to a noted religious figure.
The Opfermann name then spread throughout much of Northern and Central Europe, settling into a number of French, Dutch, Belgian, Austrian, and Swiss towns. After the dawn of the industrial revolution and improvements in road and sea transportation, the surname made its way to the United States, Caribbean, and South America. Furthermore, as a result of Germanic immigration to the United Kingdom in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the name is relatively common in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Today, the Opfermann surname is still widely identified with religious figures, farmers, business owners, academics and other professionals. Representation of the name is especially strong in Germany, United States, France, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Regardless of its origin, the name still carries with it a sense of spiritual and economical importance to those who possess it.
Order DNA origin analysisOpfermann: Where does the name Opfermann come from?
The last name Opfermann is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe. The origins of the Opfermann surname can be traced back to the Middle Ages in the inland regions of Germany, where families began taking on various surnames. The two main regions where the Opfermann surname continues to thrive today are southwestern Germany and the Swiss/Austrian border region.
In Germany, the Opfermann surname is most heavily concentrated in western Baden-Württemberg, an area which was once part of the former West German state. Here, it is especially common in the cities of Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Stuttgart and Freiburg. Beyond Germany, the Opfermann name is most common in Austria, mainly in the states of Vienna and Lower Austria. It is also found in western parts of Switzerland, with a particularly strong presence in the cities of Zurich and Basel.
Outside of Europe, the name can also be found in North and South America, Australia and South Africa. In the US the largest concentrations of the Opfermann surname are found in the northeast states of Connecticut and New York, as well as in California, Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In Canada, the name is most common in Quebec and Alberta.
Overall, the Opfermann name is still relatively widespread in Europe and across the world, indicating that the family history stretches back hundreds of years.
Variations of the surname Opfermann
The surname Opfermann has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants are derived from an ancient German word ''Opfermann'', which can be translated to mean 'man of offering'.
It is likely that the earliest forms of this name were often spelled 'Offerman', or 'Off Homines', which completely reflected the literal meaning of the word.
Other common variants include Opperman, Oppermann, Opferman, Opfermanns, Oppfermann and Oppfermanns. Other alternative spellings of this name include Oppfennan, Ofermann, Ofermann, and Ofermans.
The earliest recorded bearers of this name were Otto Opperman, a sixteenth-century Swiss artisan, and Johannes Oppermann, a sixteenth-century German soldier.
In addition to being a surname, this name is also found as a first name (Otto). It is also found as the second part of a hyphenated surname, such as in 'Opfermann-hansson'.
The surname Opfermann is known in many countries, having spread as far as Finland, Britain, the United States and Canada. It is also found in other countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
Alternate forms of the surname in Sweden include Oppfermann, Oppferman, and Oppfermans, while in Denmark they include Ofermand, Oferman, and Ofermand.
The surname Opfermann has numerous variations, each with its own unique spelling and meaning. While the literal meaning of the word remains the same, the variants of the name indicate the spread of the family name over the centuries. It is clear that the surname has been passed down through generations and has been preserved in different forms over time.
Famous people with the name Opfermann
- Philip Opfermann: Philip Opfermann is a screenwriter, producer, director and actor who is best known for his work on the 2009 biographical drama film The Messenger.
- Klaus Opfermann: Klaus Opfermann is an Austrian composer, conductor and pianist who won an Emmy Award for his arrangement work on German television show Doofes Gedudel.
- Karl Opfermann: Karl Opfermann was a German physicist and astronomer who is best known for formulating the Opfermann Criterion.
- Wolfgang Opfermann: Wolfgang Opfermann was a German actor best known for his performances in TV shows such as Tatort and Die Hofsänger.
- Frank Opfermann: Frank Opfermann is a German film editor who has worked on films such as Ludwig II and The Settlers.
- Martin Opfermann: Martin Opfermann is a German composer and violinist who predominantly works in musical theater.
- Paul Opfermann: Paul Opfermann was a German painter and graphic artist best known for his self-portraits.
- Heinrich Opfermann: Heinrich Opfermann was a German composer who wrote pieces for violin and organ.
- Hans-Ulrich Opfermann: Hans-Ulrich Opfermann is a German lawyer and politician who is currently serving as a member of the German Bundestag.
- Friederike Opfermann: Friederike Opfermann is a German swimmer who represented Germany at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.