Surname Kröpfel - Meaning and Origin
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Kröpfel: What does the surname Kröpfel mean?
Kröpfel is a German surname that has its origins in Low German and is derived from the word “kropp”, which means “hunchback”. It was descriptive, used to identify a person who was physically deformed with a hunch. It is also likely that it was used by a person born with a hunch to signal their deformity.
Today, Kröpfel is still a common name in many parts of Germany and can be found in numerous regions. In some areas, the name is pronounced with a hard k such as “Kröppfel”. In other areas, it is pronounced with a softer k sound such as “Kröfpfel”.
The meaning of the name has endured, even through the centuries. Hunchbacked people were the subject of ridicule and it is likely that the name was used to signal difference and even to assert that difference. It was also used as a way to identify people from a particular family.
Despite its negative history, Kröpfel is viewed today as an endearing last name. It has taken on a new identity, and has been embraced as a family name. It is a special name for those of us who have come to call it our own. It is a reminder of our heritage, and of our individualism and uniqueness.
Order DNA origin analysisKröpfel: Where does the name Kröpfel come from?
The last name Kröpfel is primarily found in the modern region of Switzerland known as Zurich. Zurich is a German-speaking canton located in northeast Switzerland, and one of the country's major cities. It is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton.
In the past 150 years, the last name Kröpfel has been seen as an Austrian surname, though it was found in a few other regions as well. In some cases, like other surnames with a connection to Austria, the spelling has changed over the years to Kröpfl, Kröpf or Kropfel.
In modern times, the last name Kröpfel is more commonly found in the regions of Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. Due to migration in the 19th and 20th centuries, it is also now seen in many other countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada and Australia.
The last name Kröpfel does not appear to have any real English equivalent. In most cases, the name is kept as Kröpfel when being used in English. It is a unique and uncommon last name with a strong Swiss heritage and has been recorded as far back as the 16th century.
Variations of the surname Kröpfel
Kröpfel is a surname of German-Swiss origin. It is derived from the German word ‘kropfel’ which means ‘hump’ or ‘hunchback’. The variants of Kröpfel can take on many forms, as surnames were often adapted to local speech. In German, Kröpfel is written as 'Kropfel', 'Krapfel', 'Kropel', 'Kruppel', 'Kroepfel', and 'Kroepel'. In other German-speaking areas, such as Austria, the surname can be written as 'Kraepfel', 'Kraepel' or 'Krapel'.
The surnames of the same origin as Kröpfel can be found in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. In Switzerland, the surname is written as 'Kreepfel', 'Kreepel', 'Kreppel', 'Krepepel', or 'Kroepel'. In Austria the surnames 'Kraepfel', 'Kraepel', 'Kroepfel', and 'Kroepel' are found.
In the United States and other English-speaking countries, the spelling of this surname can take on different variations such as 'Kroepfel', 'Kroepel', 'Kroupfel', 'Krouptr','Croupel', or 'Croeppel'. Other variations are more phonetically consistent with the German pronunciation, such as 'Creepel', 'Creppel', 'Cropfel', 'Creepfel', 'Creppel', and 'Cropel'.
Kröpfel is also an uncommon surname found in Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Spelled as 'Kropel', 'Kropppl', or 'Kropfel', the surname is often found in the Danish records. In Sweden, the spelling is often seen as 'Kruppfel' or 'Kropfel', while in Norway it is spelled 'Kroppfel'.
The surname Kröpfel is quite rare, with a small population of individuals bearing this name. It has become a unique surname over time, with local and cultural variations in its spelling leading to numerous alternate forms.
Famous people with the name Kröpfel
- Kirsten Kröpfel: She is a professional volleyball player who has had considerable success as a member of the German national team, where she played from 1996 until her retirement in 2013.
- Jan Kröpfel: A professional football player from Germany who has played for several teams in Bundesliga, the top German football league.
- Thomas Kröpfel: A German screenwriter who has written for many TV shows, including the popular drama Die Grosse Liebe.
- Georg Kröpfel: A sculptor from Germany who is best known for his public works in the cities of Dresden and Hersbruck.
- Markus Kröpfel: A German actor who has had appearances in films such as Inglourious Basterds, TV shows like The Saboteur, and theater productions like As You Like It, among others.
- Sabine Kröpfel: An opera singer and recording artist who has sung for various companies and made recordings for the Deutsche Grammophon label.
- Erica Kröpfel: A German diplomat who served as the ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 2003 to 2008.
- Hans Kröpfel: A German businessman who is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shopping Center Gurney.
- Irene Kröpfel: A former synchronized swimmer and world champion in the four woman and combination events.
- Gerd Kröpfel: A German research scientist who has made significant contributions to the fields of IT security and data protection.