Surname Koppen - Meaning and Origin
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N. Koppen
read moreKoppen: What does the surname Koppen mean?
The surname Koppen is of German origin and is derived from the word Kopf which means head or chief. The name is also believed to be derived from a place name and was likely used as a topographic or locative surname, indicating a person who once lived near a prominent hill or headland.
The earliest recorded example of the name dates back to 1188 and a man known as Albarthinus Kop. It is believed that the Koppen name first began to spread beyond Germany during the late Middle Ages as its bearers migrated to other regions in search of work and fresh opportunities.
Today Koppen is a relatively widespread surname in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. In the United States, it is mainly concentrated in Pennsylvania, where it has been present since at least the mid-1800s.
The Koppen surname is an evocative symbol of hard working individuals who were not afraid to go out and forge a new life in order to provide for their families. It is a testament to the hope and strength of these individuals and their families, and the passion they had for carving out a better future.
Order DNA origin analysisKoppen: Where does the name Koppen come from?
The last name Koppen is most commonly found in Germany, The Netherlands, and the United States.
In Germany, the Koppen name is mainly concentrated in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, as well as other German-speaking regions such as Switzerland and Austria. It is also found in the Netherlands, particularly in the province of North Brabant.
The United States is home to thousands of Americans with the last name Koppen. It is estimated that around 14,700 individuals in the United States alone bear the Koppen name. The highest concentrations of those with the Koppen surname in the United States are found in the states of Texas, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Similar surnames, such as Koepen, Koppens, and Koppers, have also been found in countries like South Africa, Canada, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. It is likely that Koppen is an adaptation of another name in these countries, perhaps a spelling version of a surname like Koopman or Koopmans.
But wherever you find its variations, Koppen is an uncommon last name throughout the world. Those with this name often share a strong sense of pride in their roots, whether they can trace them back to Germany, the Netherlands, or somewhere else.
Variations of the surname Koppen
The surname Koppen is of German origin. Variants of the surname include the spellings Koppin, Kaepin, Kappen, Käpgen, and Kapin. All of these spellings can also be found as surnames within some English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The most common way to spell and pronounce the surname is Koppen, with a stress on the second syllable. Some other phonetic variants of the spelling include Kappen, Käppen, Käpgen, Kapin, Kaepin, and Kappin.
The meaning of the surname Koppen is derived from a German verb, “kippen”, meaning “to tip”. This likely referred to someone who frequently tipped or leaned to the side, or perhaps someone who worked in a field such as agriculture that required tipping or leaning methods.
The original spelling of the surname was Koppen, but it was probably altered short over time to Koppin, Kappin, Käpgen, and Kapin. Other related surnames include Koppel, Köppen, Köppel and Koppler.
Koppen is quite a rare surname, but it can be found in records from Germany, the Netherlands, and England, as well as other countries with significant German immigration.
Famous people with the name Koppen
- Maarten van der Koppen: a former Dutch professional footballer.
- Marijke Koppen: a Dutch television presenter and health expert
- Bette Koppen: a former Dutch model and drama teacher
- Rachel Koppen: a Dutch model
- Gerry Koppen: a former Dutch politician and lawyer
- Christien Koppen: a former Dutch television presenter
- Willem Frederik Koppen: a Dutch poet and philosopher
- Bobby Koppen: a former Dutch footballer
- Ed Koppen: a former Dutch professional track and field athlete
- Joost Koppen: a Dutch television director and journalist