Surname Klopfer - Meaning and Origin
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Klopfer: What does the surname Klopfer mean?
The surname Klopfer is of German origin. The name is occupational in nature and derived from the Middle High German word "klopfen," which translates to "to knock" or "to tap." Traditionally, this surname was used for individuals who held the occupation of a knocker, someone who would knock on windows to wake people, similar to a town crier. However, it could also refer to someone involved in making or fitting locks, as the act of locksmithing involves a lot of tapping or knocking. Overall, the Klopfer surname represents a connection to professions involving the act of knocking or tapping in some manner.
Order DNA origin analysisKlopfer: Where does the name Klopfer come from?
The surname Klopfer is of German origin, suggesting that its early ancestors were from Germany. The name is derived from the Middle High German term "klopfen" which means "to knock or tap". Therefore, it was likely an occupational name associated with craftsmen who did such work, such as blacksmiths or cobblers. Today, the surname Klopfer is most prevalent in the United States, but it also maintains a significant presence in Germany. Other countries where the Klopfer surname is found include Austria, Canada, and South Africa, albeit in smaller numbers. Despite its spread, it remains relatively rare on a global scale. The city with the highest number of people with the Klopfer surname is Munich, Germany.
Variations of the surname Klopfer
The surname Klopfer is of German origin, primarily originating from the Southern part of Germany. It was derived from the Middle High German term "klopfen," meaning "to knock or to hit." This would suggest that the original bearer of the name might have worked as a metal or leather worker or as a door-to-door salesman. In terms of variants and similar surnames, Klopfer does not have many. Some different spellings may include Clopfer or Klopffer.
Broadening the scope to names of similar origin, we find other German surnames derived from various occupations. For instance, Klopfleisch is a German surname and in this case, 'Klopfen' was combined with 'Fleisch' or meat, implying someone who tenderized meat. Other surnames such as Schneider (tailor), Schmied (blacksmith), or Fischer (fisherman) follow a similar pattern of occupation-based nomenclature. However, they do not share the 'klopfen' root with Klopfer.
Therefore, Klopfer, due to its specific etymological origins, does not have many direct variants, spellings, or surname crossovers of the same root.
Famous people with the name Klopfer
- Karl Klopfer (1908–2004), German-American philosopher and professor
- Fritz Klopfer (1909–1990), German-American evolutionary biologist
- Paul Klopfer (1917–1995), German-American psychologist
- Gerhard Klopfer (1923–2014), German-American physicist
- Peter Klopfer (born 1938), German-American herpetologist
- Hermann Klopfer (1941–2020), German chess player
- Margret Klopfer (born 1943), German jurist and president of the Pension Court
- Conny Klopfer (born 1951), German politician
- Hartmut Klopfer (born 1951), German linguist
- Peter Klopfer (born 1955), German-Canadian composer
- Martin Klopfer (born 1964), German journalist
- Jan Klopfer (born 1976), German futsal player
- Alfred Klopfer (born 1994), German footballer