Surname Göppel - Meaning and Origin
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Göppel: What does the surname Göppel mean?
The last name Göppel is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German terms "gōpel" and "gōpfel," meaning "cap" or "hood" respectively. It is thought that the surname was originally a nickname given to someone who wore a cap or hood, perhaps as a symbol of status or respect.
The earliest known use of the Göppel surname is from the Bavarian region of Germany, which dates back to the 13th century. After this time, the family name spread over Germany and other parts of Europe. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Göppel families emigrated to North America in search of better economic opportunities.
The Göppel surname is still used across the globe today, be it in its original spelling, or changed to the anglicized versions such as Goppel and Gopel. Although the original meaning of the name likely referred to an item of clothing, it has been used for centuries to identify people with the same family roots. For some, the Göppel name has come to represent a connection to their German heritage and is a point of pride and connection to their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisGöppel: Where does the name Göppel come from?
The last name Göppel is most commonly found today in the German state of Bavaria. This follows the typical pattern of German surnames originating in a particular region and spreading out from there.
In Bavaria, the name Göppel is found predominantly in the Upper Palatinate region, and particularly along the major river valleys of the Main in the west and the Danube in the east. It is also common in the state’s largest city, Munich, as well as in its smaller surrounding municipalities.
Göppel is a relatively uncommon surname, as evidenced by the fact that it ranks around the 110,000th most popular surname in Germany. Its more common variants include Göppl, Goeppel, and Gueppel.
The name’s origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was first used as a nickname for a man with a pointy head or a small, upturned nose, from the Old High German “gifeppel” meaning “little point”. This also suggests the name was used for people with a distinct physical feature or characteristic.
Today, the name Göppel is found all over the world among people with German heritage, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Göppel
The surname Göppel has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include the spellings Goeppel, Goepel, Göpfel, Gabal, Goppel, Gueppels, Goebel, Göbbel, Gepel, Guebbel and Gippel.
Goeppel may have various origins, such as German, Jewish or Slavic. In Germany, the surname Goeppel has been found in the Palatinate region and may have derived from the Middle High German word ‘göpfel’, which means a chubby-faced person. It may also have originated as a nickname for someone who was chubby or short.
In Jewish families, Göppel often took the form of Gepel or Gippel, and may have come from the name Yitzchak or the Hebrew word ‘gefen’, which means vine or grapevine. This likely means that the original name holders were associated with growing vines or grapes.
Gabal is another variant of Göppel, possibly derived from the Latin word ‘gabalus’, meaning a carrier or dealer in grain. This suggests that early bearers of the name held a trade related to grain such as millers or carriers.
Variants of the name Goepel, such as Goebel, Guebbel, and Gueppels are likely derived from the Middle High German word ‘göble’, meaning a small vessel or a cup. This suggests the original name holders worked with pottery or perhaps ale or wine.
In short, the surname Göppel has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These are likely to have derived from a variety of different origins, such as German, Jewish and Slavic. Early bearers of the name may have likely held trades or occupations related to their names, such as millers, carriers of grain, potters, bakers of ale, wine merchants, vine growers and more.
Famous people with the name Göppel
- Gisela Göppel: a politician in the German Free Democratic Party who has been a member of the country’s parliament and was previously a candidate for the Presidency.
- Klaus Göppel: a German businessman and the former chief executive of Polaroid Corporation.
- Max Göppel: a retired German footballer who played as a midfielder for FC Nürnberg.
- Peter Göppel: a German Catholic priest, teacher and author.
- Hans-Dietrich Göppel: a German politician who served as President of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1992.
- Dietmar Göppel: a German engineer, inventor and entrepreneur who is the founder of the electronics company evopro.
- Thomas Göppel: a former East German swimmer who won a gold medal in the 200 metre butterfly at the East German Championships in 1984.
- John Göppel: a former American-born ice hockey player who spent 22 seasons in the German Oberliga, including two years as the coach of the Krefeld Pinguine.
- Christoph Göppel: a former US-based landscape artist who is currently the director of The Art Studio Workshops located in Oxford, Ohio.
- Josef Göppel: a retired Austrian footballer who played as a midfielder for SC Wiener Neustadt.