Surname Kupferer - Meaning and Origin

Kupferer: What does the surname Kupferer mean?

The last name Kupferer is of German and Swiss origin and is derived from the Yiddish word “kupf,” which means “copper.” The surname could be a reference to the traditional copper coins used for buying and selling goods. Alternately, it could refer to someone who worked with copper as a smith or metalsmith.

Kupferer, Kupfer, Kupfermann, and Kupferstein are common variations of the German form of the name. In Switzerland, the name is also spelled Kuppfer, Kupfer, Küpfer, Kuppf, Kuppfer, and Kupfermeier.

Surnames ending in “er” are often occupational in nature and these German-Swiss surnames suggest that an ancestor of the bearer was engaged in the metal trade. The “er” ending, indicates a non-noble origin and could relate to someone who practiced a craft or engaged in the labor of a trade.

The surname Kupferer was most likely brought to the United States by an immigrant ancestor and is found throughout the United States. Today, many Americans with the Kupferer surname trace their roots back to the early 1700s. It is likely that their ancestor came to the US from Germany or Switzerland, bringing their trade and craft with them.

As with many surnames, the bearer of the name often has a unique family story and the knowledge of their trade and craft can be found not only in the name but also in the details of their lives and the lives of their descendants.

Kupferer: Where does the name Kupferer come from?

The surname Kupferer is most common in Germany today. The name is derived from the German word kupfer meaning copper, and ultimately from the Latin word cuprum. This suggests the surname may have been given to a person who worked with copper or who lived in a place associated with it.

In the old days, copper was widely used in Germany as a currency, and it is possible that some of the people with this name were merchants who dealt with the metal itself. As coins with Kupferer on them have been found as early as the 16th Century, it is clear the name has been in existence for a long time.

Today, the name is most commonly found in the region of Bavaria, in southern Germany. The population density there is relatively high, with numerous cities and towns having sizeable populations. In fact, the most populated cities in Bavaria, such as Munich, Nuremberg, and Augsburg, are all known to have significant numbers of people with this name.

Outside of Germany, the surname Kupferer is also relatively common in Switzerland and Austria, as well as in some countries in Eastern Europe such as Poland and Hungary. It is also found in the United States, with numerous immigrants from these countries having settled in America over the past two centuries.

Variations of the surname Kupferer

The surname Kupferer has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Kupfer, Kupferschmidt, Kupfferer, Kupferberg, Kupferblatt, Kupferstein, Kupferberg, Kupferstrich, Kupferstich, Kupferbauer and Kupferwirt.

Kupferer is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "kupfer" which translates to "copper". This surname is typically traced back to copper miners and metalworkers in Germany, which explains how this family name became associated with the craft. This surname also has regional variations, and is seen in different forms in different areas.

Kupfer is the more direct German spelling of Kupferer and is also the most common spelling of the surname. This form of the surname is seen mostly in Germany and German-speaking countries, as well as some parts of Eastern Europe.

Kupferschmidt is an interesting regional variation of Kupferer. This spelling is derived from the additional word "schmidt" which translates to "smith". This indicates that this particular variation is associated with more than just copper miners, but with copper smiths.

Kupfferer is a German variation of the surname that is seen mostly in Northern Germany. This variation is sometimes spelled with two double Fs which alters the pronunciation.

Kupferberg is found in certain Eastern European countries, and is derived from the word "berg" which translates to "mountain". This variation indicates that this particular branch of the family came from copper miners or metalworkers in the mountains.

Kupferblatt and Kupferstein are related meanings, translating to "copper sheet" and "copper stone" respectively. This indicates that this particular branch of the family were involved with copper mines or crafts.

Kupferstrich and Kupferstich mean "copper line" and "copper stitch" respectively, which again indicates that their work was related to the craft or mining of copper.

Kupferbauer and Kupferwirt are two additional regional variations of Kupferer. Kupferbauer translates to "copper builder" and Kupferwirt translates to "copper keeper", which again indicates the general theme of copper working or mining.

Famous people with the name Kupferer

• Leonard Kupferer: actor and writer known for his roles in films such as I Like To Play Games and The Sweetest Thing.
• Robert Kupferer: Israeli-American physicist and author who has written numerous works on quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and plasma physics.
• Abraham Kupferer: German-Jewish politician and lawyer who, in the early 19th century, entered into a court battle with the Prussian government over the right of Jews to practice freely in Germany.
• Sylvan Kupferer: Emmy Award-winning American cinematographer who worked on many films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including The Godfather Part II and A Streetcar Named Desire.
• Hilda Kupferer: internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor, known for her vibrant abstract works that often incorporate myth and legend.
• Abraham Kupferer: prominent European rabbi of the late 19th century and early 20th century.
• Max Kupferer: Austrian actor and director who appeared in numerous television and movie roles during the mid-1900s.
• Jacob Kupferer: German-American theologian and philosopher who wrote extensively on ethics, theology, and philosophy from the early 1800s to the mid-1900s.
• Arnold Kupferer: successful French-American wine maker, who was instrumental in popularizing the use of Malbec grapes and creating several award-winning wines.
• Herbert Kupferer: German film director and writer who is best known for his work on classic films like Metropolis.

Other surnames

KupferKupferbergKupfermannKupferschlaegerKupferschlägerKupferschmidKupferschmidtKupferschmiedKupferschmiedtKupferschmitKupferschmitt