Surname Hoepfer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hoepfer: What does the surname Hoepfer mean?
The last name Hoepfer is of German origin, and is derived from the word "Hopfer" which translates to "hop grower". This surname likely originated when a family of hop growers adopted it as their name in the Middle Ages.
Hops are widely used in the production of beer, and were an important commodity in some regions of Germany during the Middle Ages. Consequently, it is likely that the Hoepfer family was well established in their local community by the time of the late Middle Ages, as hop farming likely provided them with a dependable source of income.
Throughout the following centuries, the family adopted Hoepfer as their official last name, and began to spread throughout Western and Central Europe. Today, Hoepfer is a fairly common name throughout Germany and its surrounding countries.
The Hoepfer family would have gained considerable status due to their hop farming activities throughout the years, and could have been a source of local pride to their local communities. The Hoepfer family is a symbol of German culture and history, and embodies the spirit of hard work and entrepreneurship that is common among German families.
Order DNA origin analysisHoepfer: Where does the name Hoepfer come from?
The last name Hoepfer is most commonly found in Europe. It originated in Germany and is still especially popular there. The name is also common in Austria and Switzerland, and is becoming more widespread in some other European countries. Between 2013 and 2018, the name's frequency increased in France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Croatia.
Today, Germany is the most populous country with people carrying the Hoepfer surname. It is estimated that over 10,000 people bear it. Austria is the second most populous with around 5,000 Hoepfers. Switzerland follows with 1,500 people, and Sweden with around 850.
In the United States, Hoepfer is one of the most common German-surnames, and had an estimate of about 1000 people in 2010. It is also frequently found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand since many German immigrants settled there in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Hoepfer surname appears to be well-represented in other countries too, including Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and Israel. Due to migration of people over the centuries, the family name is now scattered all over the world.
Variations of the surname Hoepfer
The surname Hoepfer has a number of variants and variations in spelling, as well as other surnames that share the same origin. One of the most common variants of the surname Hoepfer is Hoepfner, which is found most often found in Germany and Austria. Other common spelling variants include Hoepffner, Hoepffer, Hoepfinger, Hopfner and Heppner. In the United States, the spelling Hefner is also common.
Other surnames with the same roots as Hoepfer are Hopfer, Heppner, Höpfel, Hoefler, Hoefner and Hoofman. In the United States alternate spellings include Heffner, Hewfner, Houfner, Herbst and Hoebner.
The surname Hoepfer is of Germanic origin and denoted someone who lived near or on a hop garden. In the Middle Ages hops were used to flavor beer. The surname may have also been derived from the Middle High German word "heweppel" which means "skirt" or "edge".
The spelling variants and other surnames derived from the same origin as Hoepfer show the malleability of surnames; due to the gradual, organic changes of language and regional preferences spellings have evolved over time.
Famous people with the name Hoepfer
- Mike Hoepfer: American sports broadcaster and former college basketball coach
- Chris Hoepfer: American cardiologist
- Brad Hoepfer: Former manager for the Baltimore Orioles
- Peter Hoepfer: Retired NHL player
- John Hoepfer: Former Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Covington, Kentucky
- Thomas Hoepfer: Professional soccer player in the German Bundesliga
- David Hoepfer: Retired Army Colonel and United States Ambassador to Barbados
- Anthony Hoepfer: American artist
- Kurt Hoepfer: Retired professor of American literature
- Stephen Hoepfer: Comedian and actor