Surname Epper - Meaning and Origin
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Epper: What does the surname Epper mean?
The last name Epper is an anglicized variant of the German surname “Eppler” and is generally traced to the region of Baden-Württemberg, where many of its progenitors emigrated to during the 18th century. The original surname was derived from the Old High German word “eppil,” meaning “apple tree.” It is likely that many of the first Eppers were occupants of rural lands, tending farms and orchards.
Early records indicate that some individuals with the Epper surname worked as carpenters, tailors and seamstresses, and that others served in the military in Germany during the 19th century. It’s also likely that the Eppers held many other professions and occupations during this period.
The Eppers emigrated from Germany to the United States during the mid 1800's. Many of them settled in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and other parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. The Eppers also established themselves in other parts of the country, mainly New York and California.
Today, the Epper name is found in many countries around the world. Whether they are descended from the Eppers who left Germany in the 19th century or from more recent immigrants, the Eppers of today have their roots in a common ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisEpper: Where does the name Epper come from?
The last name Epper is most commonly found throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, although it is also seen in other parts of Europe, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia. According to German genealogy records, the surname was most concentrated in the southern region of Germany, just south of Stuttgart. The name is also particularly common in the city of Kassel, located in the northern part of Hesse.
In the United States, Epper is a fairly rare surname, though it is found in several states including California, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Florida. It is most commonly seen in California, where over 600 people in the state have the surname. It also appears with some frequency in Oklahoma and Illinois.
Outside of Northern Europe and the United States, Epper is not especially common. In Australia, for example, the surname is extremely rare, with just twelve people holding the name as of 2016. In South America, it is rarer still, with no known Epper families living in Brazil or Argentina.
Variations of the surname Epper
The surname Epper has a variety of spellings, variants, and surnames that all trace back to the same origin. These include Epper, Epperle, Eppel, Epperly, Epple, Eppler, and Eppleman.
The surname Epper is believed to have originated in Germany, coming from the Middle High German word "epplin" which referred to a kind of mammal. It is thought that the last name developed from being used as a nickname for someone thought to resemble this creature.
The last name is believed to have come to the United States in the 1700s, with the original spelling of the name being Epperlein. From here, the names Epperle, Epple, and Eppler developed.
In England, the name became Epper while in America, Epperly and Eppleman came to be. The Scottish version of the surname is Eppy.
The various spellings of the surname, although stemming from the same origin, have come to have slightly different meanings. For example, Epper in America is associated with freedom whereas Eppelman is associated with being a noble, high class individual.
In the end, no matter the spelling, the surname Epper is associated with a nickname describing an animal. From this nickname, many spellings and variants of the surname have formed meaning this last name is one of the oldest and most widespread across the world.
Famous people with the name Epper
- Sandra Epper: Sandra Epper is a former American stuntwoman, best known for her work on films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Superman II.
- Leslie Epper: Leslie Epper is a British-born Hollywood make-up artist, best known for her work on films such as Pretty Woman and The Usual Suspects.
- Stephanie Epper: Stephanie Epper is an American actress, perhaps best known for her role on All My Children.
- Rod Epper: Rod Epper is an American composer and conductor, best known for his work on films such as Ice Age and Chicken Run.
- Wayne Epper: Wayne Epper is an American motion picture editor, best known for his work on the film Titanic.
- Karl E. Epper: Karl E. Epper is a German entrepreneur, best known for his contributions to the German automotive industry.
- Eliot Epper: Eliot Epper is an American music producer, best known for producing Michael Jackson's HIStory album.
- Roy Epper: Roy Epper is an American sound designer, best known for his work on the film The Exorcist.
- Mary Epper: Mary Epper is a former American child actress, best known for her roles in films such as National Velvet and The Bachelor Party.
- Dan Epper: Dan Epper is an American bass player, best known for his work with bands such as Guns N' Roses and Megadeth.