Surname Kooper - Meaning and Origin

Kooper: What does the surname Kooper mean?

The last name Kooper is of German and Dutch origin, an occupational type of surname derived from the Middle Low German word ‘kooper’ meaning a cooper or barrel maker. Coopers were responsible for constructing and sealing barrels for products such as wine, beer, oil, and grain. In some cases, the Kooper surname also arose as a nickname meaning ‘someone who is good at bargaining’.

The Kooper surname is historically tied to Germanic and Dutch immigrants of the 17th and 18th centuries who emigrated to the United States from various European locales such as Bavaria, Austria, and Prussia. As an American family name, Kooper first began appearing as early as 1745, when german immigrants Johann and Jacob Kooper settled in Pennsylvania.

Today, the surname Kooper typically identifies someone with ancestors from these regions, and may also refer to those with the last name Keeper. While the latter is often associated with African-American descent, the two names have no real correlation.

In conclusion, the surname Kooper is often linked to German and Dutch descent, and is associated with occupations such as barrel makers or negotiators. It is fixed in history as a name that was adopted by German and Dutch immigrants and gained popularity in America during the early 1700s.

Kooper: Where does the name Kooper come from?

The last name Kooper is most commonly found in South Africa. Although it originated in Germany, it's believed that it began appearing in South Africa around the mid-19th century, likely due to European settlers and immigrants. It's listed as the 314th most common surname in South Africa, with over 18,000 people recorded as having it.

It's also quite common in the United States, with the name appearing in the census records for over 128,000 individuals. However, this is likely due to South African immigrants who have moved to the United States in more recent years.

Outside of these two regions, the surname is still quite rare, with populations fewer than 10,000 recorded in Australia, Argentina, France, and Great Britain, amongst other countries.

Kooper is believed to be of Germanic origin, derived from either the old German word "koppar" (meaning "expert" or "skilled craftsman") or "Koopman" (a merchant). The specific spelling may have first been adopted by a 17th century Dutch artist named Willem Kooper.

Overall, Kooper is generally seen as more common in South Africa and the United States.

Variations of the surname Kooper

The surname Kooper has various spelling and variations, some of the more common ones being Cooper, Koopman, Kuepper, Kueper, Kueffner, Kuefer, Köper, Kupfer, Cupper, Cupper and Köpper. It is a German surname, derived from the trade of coopering or barrel-making. The name itself has a long and interesting history, being found in records dating back to 1241.

Cooper is one of the most common variants of the surname, and is derived from the Old French word 'cupere', meaning 'wooden vessel maker'. This variant is often adopted by families whose ancestors may have come from Belgium or Holland. Some Coopers were woodworkers, and others were bakers.

Koopman is another variant of the surname, originating from the Dutch and northern German term 'Koopman', meaning 'merchantman'. It is one of the oldest surnames derived from trade, being found in records as early as 1690. It may have also come to be by an occupational nickname for a trader of goods, such as cloth, eggs, and other goods.

Kuepper, a variant of the name, has also been found in several Germanic languages, such as German and Low German. Like Cooper, it was found in records as early as 1241. It is likely derived from the old German word 'kupfer', meaning 'copper'.

Kueffner is a variation of the name that is found in Germany as early as 1616. The name is likely derived from the Middle Low German word 'kuffer', meaning 'oaf' or 'clumsy person'. It was likely an occupational nickname for a cart driver or wagoner.

Kuefer and Köper are derived from the Middle High German word 'kuefer', meaning 'cooper'. Kuefer has been found in records dating back to the 15th century and was used for a tradesperson who made or sold copper vessels.

Kupfer is one of the most common variants of the surname and has a long history, being found in records as early as 1406. It is likely derived from the Medieval German word 'kupfer', meaning 'copper'. It may have also been used as an occupational name for someone who worked with copper or tin.

Cupper is another variant of Kooper, derived from the Old French word 'cupere', meaning 'wooden vessel maker'. It was found in records as early as 1390. It is likely an occupational nickname for a barrel maker.

Köpper is another form of the name, derived from the Middle Low German word 'kopper', meaning 'barrel maker'. The earliest record of the name is found in 1455 in Germany. It has also been found in Latin records with the spelling 'Cuparius', likely indicating someone who made or sold wooden barrels.

Famous people with the name Kooper

• Al Kooper: multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for organizing Blood, Sweat & Tears, as well as producing the Bob Dylan song "Like a Rolling Stone".
• John Kooper: American record producer, sound engineer, and music executive who has worked with artists such as Cat Stevens, Dave Mason, Monkees, The Who, Thin Lizzy, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and many others.
• Bill Kooper: veteran television producer and co-creator of the popular MTV animated series Beavis and Butt-Head.
• Lara Marie Kooper: actress and model, best known for her work in L'auberge Rougest-Or é (2009), The Baytown Outlaws (2012), and Sextape (2012).
• Jake Kooper: American professional skateboarder and sports apparel owner.
• John Michael Kazimierz Kooper: American artist and photographer.
• Christiaan Kooper: Dutch modern pentathlete who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Asher Kooper: South African retired cricketer who played first-class cricket in the mid-1970s.
• Christian Michael Kooper: German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for SpVgg Greuter Fürth.
• Nicole Kooper: British artist and sculptor based in London, best known for her bronze works.

Other surnames

Koopers