Surname Goepfrich - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Goepfrich: What does the surname Goepfrich mean?
Goepfrich is a German surname. It has two words; goe- meaning "good" or "valuable" and -frich meaning “friend," "peace," or "ruler." This name refers to a person with a strong connection to peace or a ruler who brings good or value to his people.
The surname’s history dates back to the high and late Middle Ages between the 12th and 15th centuries, when Germans began to change their single given names to hereditary family names. In particular, this surname was common in southern Germany, particularly in regions such as Bavaria and Prussia.
The surname was likely born as a nickname for a person who was perceived to be a peacemaker or who brought valuable qualities to the community. This was likely during a period of unrest in the Middle Ages. Goepfrich was also occasionally used among nobilities in medieval times to denote a ruler or nobleman who was seen to be faithful and loyal to his people.
Given the surname’s varied origins, Goepfrich is a unique surname with deep historical roots associated both with peace and rulership. It is commonly associated with many different countries, particularly in Europe, and is still seen today as a one-of-a-kind name bearing valuable meanings.
Order DNA origin analysisGoepfrich: Where does the name Goepfrich come from?
Goepfrich is a Germanic surname that has been recorded in various areas of Germany and Austria. Today, the surname can be found most commonly in the regions of Bavaria and Thuringia. This is due to the proximity of these two states to former Germanic settlements.
The earliest record of the name is found in the historical record of the 13th century Saxon Nobility. At this time, the Goepfrich family was an influential and powerful family of the Bildstreit clan, holding lands in Franconia. The name is derived from the Germanic first name, Geopfricus, and literally translates to “Peace Follower”.
Goepfrich families are known to exist in many parts of Germany including Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt. However, despite these widespread origins, the name is concentrated in Bavaria and Thuringia, due to the prolonged occupation of these regions by the German Empire.
The Goepfrich surname is also recorded in Austria, in Tyrol, Burgenland and Lower Austria. The Austrian branch of the Goepfrich family trace their roots to a re-settlement of Germanic immigrants in the 14th century.
In addition, the surname is found in some instances in the United States, and Canada. In the United States, it is primarily concentrated in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Overall, the Goepfrich surname is most commonly found today among the inhabitants of Germany and Austria, though it does have a presence in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Goepfrich
The surname Goepfrich is of German origin and is derived from the Germanic roots of the same name. The Goepfrich or Goepfriche surname likely have evolved from Goepfrich, a medieval German personal name.
Variants of the Goepfrich name include Goepfrich, Gafrich, Goepfriger, Goepfrig, Gefriche, Goefrich, Geefrich, Gaepfrich, Goepfriche, Goepfrigger, Geopfriger, Goepferich, Goefriger, Gofrich, Goepfroger, Goepferger, Geopfrigger, Gopprich, Gepferger, Goerfrich, Goefregge, Gefrag, Goepferge, Gewfrigger, Gefrigge, Gaepfrigge, Goepferge, Gewraged, Goepfrigge, Goefrikes, Gefrist, Gaepfried, Goefrig, Goeferge, Goepfriger, Gofriger, Goefriech, Gefregge, Gefreger, Goefriche and Goepffeld.
The German spelling of Goepfrich also has different spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variations such as Gopfrich, Gophrich, Gofrich and Gofrite can be found.
In addition to the German spelling, the surname has also taken on some Dutch spellings, which includes Goeprich, Goprich along with Geoprich and Gouprich.
The Goepfrich surname has also extended to other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Variations of the surname in these countries include Gopfrecht, Gopfrick, Goppfrick, Goepfrig, Goepfrick and Goepfried.
Overall, there is a wide variety of spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin to the Goepfrich name. Whether the surname is spelt and pronounced with a German, Dutch or other international sound, the origin of the Goepfrich name is widely accessible to all.
Famous people with the name Goepfrich
- Dr. Chad Goepfrich: an orthopedic surgeon in Dayton, Ohio who specializes in treating shoulder pain.
- Ryan Goepfrich: an American Olympic swimmer of Bermudian descent who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics. 3. Mark Goepfrich: a professional poker player who has won several major tournaments, including the World Series of Poker Events.
- Robert Goepfrich: a German World War II flying ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Chris Goepfrich: an American film director and screenwriter whose credits include the upcoming feature film ‘Echoes’.
- Walter Goepfrich: a German sculptor, draftsman, and illustrator whose works have been displayed in the State Gallery of Stuttgart and at the Heinz-Eberhard-Museum.
- Jeff Goepfrich: an American television producer and director who has worked on shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Colbert Report.
- Michael Goepfrich: an American novelist and short story writer who has won numerous awards, including a Whiting Award and the Kurt Vonnegut Prize.
- Maria Goepfrich: a German politician and Member of the European Parliament. She is a member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany.
- Ann Goepfrich: an American equestrian and silver medalist at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She has since gone on to become an accomplished horse trainer and riding instructor.