Surname Vöpel - Meaning and Origin
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Vöpel: What does the surname Vöpel mean?
The last name Vöpel (or Voepel) is of German origin. It means "one who lives near the beech tree or beechwood" and is derived from the German word ‘bokel’, which means beech tree. The Vöpels were a farming family who were found mostly in the northern regions of Germany as early as the 16th century.
The Vöpels were likely to have lived in rural areas, possibly near a beechwood forest, and were likely to have been farmers, engaging in forestry, cattle rearing, hunting and fishing, all activities related to the land. It is also quite possible that the Vöpels were brewers or vintners due to their proximity to hop growing regions.
The name is relatively rare outside Germany and other German-speaking countries, however it can be found in countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria where German immigrants settled.
In the modern age, many people are choosing to reclaim the name Vöpel, as a way to honour their ancestors and to reconnect with their heritage. The name Vöpel is a reminder of the strong communal roots which many modern individuals have around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisVöpel: Where does the name Vöpel come from?
The last name Vöpel is found mostly in Germany and other countries in central and northern Europe. It is of Germanic origin and was likely first used as a surname in the late Middle Ages. The earliest record of the name was in the 13th century in Bavaria when Konrad Vöpel, a knight, was mentioned in a document.
Today, the Vöpel name is common in Germany, with a concentration in the northwestern and central parts of the country. It’s also found in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. Smaller but still significant numbers of Vöpel families are found in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, Denmark, and even the United States and Canada.
Given its Germanic roots, Vöpel is usually a derivative of the German word for “wolf” or “wolf-like” and thus can often be interpreted as “son of the wolf” or “wolf’s shield.” Alternately, the name could also be derived from a location or place name. In either case, it’s clear that Vöpel is an ancient surname that has been passed down through generations of families in central and northern Europe.
Variations of the surname Vöpel
The surname Vöpel is a German surname of known Huguenot descent. It is an occupational name based on the middle High German term, 'opele', meaning a cooper or barrel-maker. Variants of the surname Vöpel include Vopel, Voepel, and Voipel.
The German 'oe' is sometimes transliterated as 'ö' in foreign countries, and the German spelling of Vöpel is rendered variously in foreign spelling conventions. Examples include Vöpfel, Vopfel, Voepfel, and Voepfel.
Variants of Vöpel have been established in various countries and languages. For example, Vöpel is a variant of Vaquette in French, Vápila in Hungarian, and Wabele in Polish.
Spellings of the surname Vöpel have also been derived from the Latin version, Vopellus. This has given rise to forms such as Vopell, Voepel, Vopelius, Voipel, and Vopelene.
Variations in the spelling of Vöpel may also be attributed to regional dialects. Vöpel may appear as Vopel, Voepel, Voipel, Vopalle, Vopall, Voppel, and Voppen in various regions in Germany.
Other surnames related to the surname Vöpel include Vopeler, Vopell, Voepeler, Vopeling, Vopelman, Voipeler, Voepeling, Voepelman, Voipelman, Vopen, Voopen, Vopelen, Voopen, Voepelen, and Voipelen.
In addition, the surnames Oppel and Oppell, derived from ‘Oppel’, are sometimes related to Vöpel. These are associated with the Old High German term 'oppo', meaning ‘to cover’.
Famous people with the name Vöpel
- Christian Vöpel: He is a German professional basketball player who currently plays for ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga.
- Markus Vöpel: He is a professional tennis player who hails from Germany and he has made an impact in various tournaments around the world.
- Julia Vöpel: She is an actress and former model from Germany who has been featured in several television shows and movies.
- Peer Vöpel: He is a German film and television actor who has been featured in more than 20 made-for-TV movies and television series.
- Rudolf Vöpel: He is a German professional footballer who has made several appearances for various clubs throughout his career.
- Marcel Vöpel: He is a German professional sledge hockey player who currently competes for the national sledge hockey team.
- Marko Vöpel: He is a German professional golfer who has made several television appearances.
- Dieter Vöpel: He is a German businessman and the former head of the Beer and Mineral Water Association in Düsseldorf.
- Markus Vöpel: He is a retired German footballer who was part of the successful Borussia Mönchengladbach team during their golden era in the mid-1980s.
- Dietmar Vöpel: He is a German politician and a member of the Christian Democratic Union who currently serves as the Minister of Health in Lower Saxony.