Surname Hoppmann - Meaning and Origin

Hoppmann: What does the surname Hoppmann mean?

Hoppmann is a German last name derived from the Middle High German “Hoppen” meaning “hop”. Thus, the name might refer to a person who made or sold hops – an important ingredient in beer production. Alternatively, the name could refer to someone from a location where hops were grown or processed, such as a town or city. It is also possible that the name is related to the Middle High German word “hopman” meaning “guard”, suggesting that the original surname holders were those charged with ensuring the security of such hop-growing and processing areas.

In the USA, the Hoppmann name is commonly found among families of German heritage. This is because many German immigrants to the United States before and after the 1800s kept their original family surnames. As such, the majority of Hoppmanns are likely to be of German descent. However, during migrations over the centuries, some bearers of the name may have believed that adoption of some form of Anglicized spelling would help them to fit in more easily, so the spelling of the surname may be slightly altered in some instances.

Overall, the Hoppmann surname likely had its origins in an area of Germany where hops were produced and used. The name is now found among the descendants of various German immigrants to the US and may also occasionally be found in slightly altered spelling forms.

Hoppmann: Where does the name Hoppmann come from?

The last name Hoppmann is a German surname most commonly found in Germany today. According to Forebears, a genealogical website, Hoppmann is the 2,714th most common surname in Germany, with approximately 39,300 people bearing the name. The Hoppmann surname may also be found in Switzerland, France and certain parts of Prussia and Northern Europe.

Most likely derived from the German word "hoppe" meaning "hopeless", Hoppmann was a name given to people who had difficulty making a living due to poverty or lack of skills, and are thought to have originated as a byname in the German-speaking areas of Europe. Alternate spellings of Hoppmann include Hoefmann, Hoppman and Hoefman.

The most common areas of Germany for the Hoppmann surname are North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and Lower Saxony. The majority of Hoppmanns living in Germany today are concentrated in Hamburg, Essen and Hanover. In recent decades, many members of the Hoppman surname have emigrated to the U.S., with especially large numbers of Hoppmanns appearing in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. Today, it is estimated that there are as many as 20,000 people of the Hoppmann surname living in the United States.

Variations of the surname Hoppmann

Hoppmann is an Old German surname, and historically comes from the region now known as the Netherlands, as well as Northern Germany. It is most commonly spelled “Hoppmann” but is also seen spelled “Hoefmann,” “Hoeffmann,” “Hoffmann,” and “Hofmann” as well. In some cases, the double “f” in those last two variants exists less as a spelling difference and more as an alternate pronunciation; the two are essentially pronounced the same.

Originally a baptismal name meaning “descendant of Hoff,” Hoff being a cognate to the English Hugh, this surname has many variants. Some of these variants include: “Hofman,” “Hoffman,” “Hoffmans,” “Hofmans,” “Hoofman,” “Houfman,” “Houfman,” “Hoffmeister,” “Hofmeister,” “Haefelin,” and “Haffelin.”

The history of the surname branches out from Northern Germany to form part of the Dutch landscape too. In this regard, some of its variants in Dutch include: “Hofman,” “Hoffman,” “Hoffmeester,” “Hoogeman,” “Hougen,” and “Haudenhuyse.”

Many of these variants are still in use today, especially among German, Dutch, and Americans of German or Dutch descent. Hoppmann, and variants such as “Hoffman” or “Hoeffmann” are still fairly common surnames found in Germany, the Netherlands and the United States.

Famous people with the name Hoppmann

• John Hoppmann: Former NFL cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.
• Chris Hoppmann: Canadian soccer player who plays for the Canadian National team.
• Jesse Hoppmann: German mathematical physicist.
• William Hoppmann: Actor and singer who appeared in Broadway shows and movies such as The Muppet Movie, The Blues Brothers and One Crazy Summer.
• Johann Hoppmann: German Baroque architect and craftsman.
• Kevin Hoppmann: National Director of Photography for The New York Times Magazine.
• James Hoppmann: Professor of history and Social Studies Education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
• Lisa Hoppmann: Award-winning equestrian and practicing veterinarian from Canada.
• Robert Hoppmann: German exploration pilot and air transport specialist.
• Hans-Werner Hoppmann: German artist and professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf.

Other surnames

Hoppmanns