Surname Noppen - Meaning and Origin

Noppen: What does the surname Noppen mean?

The surname Noppen is primarily of Dutch origin. Like many other Dutch names, Noppen is a topographic surname, which is a type of hereditary surname that was originally based on a geographical feature near the person's home. The name Noppen is said to be derived from the Dutch word "nop", meaning "small hill" or "knob". Therefore, it can be interpreted as "of the small hill" or "one who lives near the small hill". However, it's also possible that Noppen could be an occupational name for someone who made or sold nops, small tufts or raised pieces in woolen cloth. As with many surnames, the exact origin may vary based on regional derivation and the passage of the name through generations.

Noppen: Where does the name Noppen come from?

The last name Noppen is most commonly found in the Netherlands. The modern Dutch spelling of the name is “Nop”, however the original spelling was “Noppen”. This surname is particularly prominent in the North Holland and Zeeland provinces.

It is speculated that the Noppen surname first arose between 1400 and 1500, when it became popular. Records from 1664, indicate that there were various families bearing the name 'van Noppen'. This suggests the name was likely formed from a location or a nickname, although other sources attribute the surname to particular medieval individuals.

Noppen is now a widely spread name across the Netherlands. According to current records, there are approximately 2391 individuals with this name. However, the number of Noppen's is steadily increasing each year, as it is passed down from one generation to the next.

Today, the Noppen name can still be found across the country, often denoted with the “van” or “van den” prefix. Over the past decade, there have been Noppen family gatherings in the Netherlands. This allows individuals with this last name to meet others in the same family and reinforces the bond between them.

Variations of the surname Noppen

The surname Noppen has no known variants or alternate spellings, however it has two surnames of similar origin.

The first is Noppinger, which is rare German surname. Derived from the Middle German word 'nopper' which means 'swaddling clothes', Noppinger had two different forms in the Middle Ages. One was a nickname for a person who made or sold swaddling clothes, while the other was a status name for a tenant of a farmstead, which may have originally been owned by a family of swaddling cloth weavers or sellers. Today the surname is found mainly in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.

The other related surname is Neppach, which is a rare German surname, derived from a Middle High German word that refers to someone who lived in a small, forested valley (nebbacher). The surname is found predominantly in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Both of these related surnames, Noppinger and Neppach, indicate ancient occupational and geographical origins, and demonstrate the manner in which surnames can be adapted and changed over time.

Famous people with the name Noppen

• Jeroen Noppen: Dutch-Belgian TV presenter, writer, and columnist.
• Charlotte Noppen: Belgian TV personality and singer.
• Axl Noppen: Belgian music producer and founder of the record label Noppen Records.
• Gilles Noppen: Belgian architect, urban designer, and landscape architect.
• Guy Noppen: Belgian comic book artist known for his work for publishers Marvel and DC Comics.
• Lieselot Noppen: Belgian artist and painter known for her work in the Symbolism style.
• Maarten Noppen: Belgian actor and comedian.
• Kristien Noppen: Belgian singer-songwriter and guitarist.
• Björn Noppen: German football goalkeeper who played for various teams in the Belgian and German first divisions.
• Lucien Noppen: Belgian politician and member of the Belgian Senate.

Other surnames

Noppe