Surname Keppeler - Meaning and Origin

Keppeler: What does the surname Keppeler mean?

The last name Keppeler is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word "kepin" which means "Keeper". It is an occupational name, referring to a person who takes care of a house or place of business. The name may also have roots in the Dutch words "kepen" or "kopke" which both mean "little head" or "headman".

The name has been found mainly in Germany, but various branches later spread to other countries. The Keppeler family tree can be traced leading back to the year 1277, where a family in Germany took on the name. Many of the Keppeler name can be found in records of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The name is still found in areas in Germany, as well as in countries around the world such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many others.

In modern times, the Keppeler name is seen as a name synonymous with care and protection, whether it be of people, businesses, or of physical places. These traits remain true of the Keppeler family even centuries after it was first established.

Keppeler: Where does the name Keppeler come from?

The last name Keppeler is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It derives from the Old German word Kepeler, meaning 'a church goer' or 'a church warden'. The name first appeared in Bavaria (Germany), then spread to the Rhineland before finally reaching other German-speaking countries. Today, Keppeler is one of the most common German surnames.

In the United States, people bearing the last name Keppeler are predominantly of German descent. Between 1880 - 1930, many German immigrants came to America in search of a better life. According to the 2020 US Census, Keppeler is still relatively rare; there are 206 living in the US with the name. The states with the most Keppelers are Illinois (70) and Minnesota (51).

In Germany, Keppeler is even more common, ranking 289th in the list of most common surnames. In 2019, there were an estimated 5167 people who had the surname. The state of Bavaria has the most Keppelers with 2460 people living in the area that year.

Keppeler is today a strong surname that is spreading around the world. As German immigrants reach new countries, Keppeler's reach out to other societies where the name is rarely seen. The name is also becoming increasingly popular as more German immigrants bring it with them to other countries.

Variations of the surname Keppeler

The surname Keppeler has multiple variants and spellings throughout the world. Variants of the surname include Capeler, Kappeler, Keppeller, Kepeler, Kepil, Keple, Kempele, Keppel, Koeppel, Koppeler, Koppel, and Keppler.

The earliest recorded versions of Keppeler are derived from the personal name of the ancestor of the family. The ancestors of the Keppeler family likely had a certain given name, depending on their cultural and religious beliefs; which was then corrupted and changed over the centuries as it was passed from one language to another.

Additionally, the surname is a common Jewish last name, likely derived from the old Germanic names, Gebhard, Wolfhart, or Kobold. The Hebrew form of the surname is Kappeler.

Surnames associated with the Keppeler family are usually localized versions or spelling variations of the ancestral name, thus indicating different origins. Such surname variants and spellings may include, Capildo, Kapeler, Capellor, and Kephalas.

The Keppeler surname is very common throughout Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. It is also found in many countries including Austria, Italy, France, and Hungary. In the United States, the surname is sometimes seen as Kephart or Kepherd.

Overall, the different variants, spellings, and surnames of the Keppeler surname all share the same origin, as all originate from a single ancestor.

Famous people with the name Keppeler

• Helena Von Keppeler: An Austrian-Hungarian aristocrat and unofficial ‘secret’ wife of King Edward VII from the United Kingdom.
• Georg Zeppelin: A German General and designer of the first rigid airship, the zeppelin, whose father was Friedrich Albert von Keppeler.
• Robert E. Lee Keppeler: An influential and highly decorated US Army Colonel.
• Dana Keppeler: An American film and television actress, best known for roles in ‘Veronica Mars’ and ‘iCarly’.
• Dieter Von Keppeler: A Swiss career diplomat and former ambassador of Switzerland to Austria.
• Edward Keppeler: An American poet and dramatist, and a well known figure on the literary scene in the mid-20th century.
• Oliver Keppeler: An Austrian-born American chess master, who was noted for his play over the board and also for his writings in chess literature.
• Augustus Keppeler: A civil engineer from Germany who was notable for developing a new type of efficient pneumatic valve that led him to great success and was later used in a variety of industries.
• Elli Von Keppeler: A German film and television actress, best known for her roles in popular series such as ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘The People vs. Fritz Bauer’.
• Sophie Von Keppeler: A German composer, best known for her orchestral works, and held concerts in some of the major music cities in Europe.

Other surnames

Keppel