Surname Oppermann - Meaning and Origin

“Emotional Journey of Self-discovery: My Experience with iGENEA and the Oppermann Heritage”

Taking a DNA test with iGENEA was an emotional and transformative journey for me. It deepened my sense of identity and let me discover the deep roots of my Oppermann ancestors. The revelations I encountered reshaped my perspective and instilled a renewed sense of responsibility towards my lineage.

V. Oppermann

Oppermann: What does the surname Oppermann mean?

The last name Oppermann is German in origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The name is thought to have first appeared in Germany in the 12th century, stemming from the Middle High German word "Opper," meaning “upper.” It was likely given as a descriptive byname to a person living near the upper course of a river, or on a hilltop.

The Oppermann surname is quite common throughout much of Europe, especially Germany, where it is thought to be derived from the old aristocratic family von Oppermann. The name is found in records such as land registers and census in Thuringia from the 13th century and in Hungary from the 14th century.

Oppermann can be found across many different industries and professions in Germany today, and many Oppermann family members have achieved great success in their chosen fields, such as in trade, commerce, banking, law, medicine, science, and literature. The first German pastor with the name Oppermann is recorded in 1609, and his descendants served churches throughout Germany. Other notable members of the Oppermann family include professional sailing champion Günther Oppermann and musician Friedrich Oppermann.

The Oppermann name means “from the upper part of the river” or “from the upper part of the hill,” and carries a long history of highly accomplished individuals who have achieved success in their respective fields. It is a testament to the tenacity of the Oppermann family to have carried its name across centuries and into modern day Germany.

Oppermann: Where does the name Oppermann come from?

The last name Oppermann is most commonly found in Germany today. Oppermann is one of the top 500 most common German last names, and is particularly concentrated in the northern states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hamburg.

This pattern of geographic concentration reflects the position of Oppermann among the oldest of German last names. The term “Oppermann” is derived from the Germanic oppa, a term for an uncle, and it originally denoted an uncle figure that was powerful and respected within a family or community. This is why, for many centuries, the name has been located in one specific region of Germany, rather than having a complex geographic history.

The surname is also found in other countries, although at a lower frequency. Opperman was common in the Netherlands between 1781–1870, suggesting it was used by some Dutch individuals who had immigrated from Germany. In the 19th century, the immigration of Northern Germans to the U.S. further spread the name to North America. Today, individuals with the last name Oppermann are found in countries such as Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Oppermann

The German surname Oppermann is derived from the German word "Oppe", meaning "ape" or "monkey". It was most likely used to describe someone with tree-climbing habits or acrobatic skill. The most common variants of Oppermann are Opperman, Oppemann, Öpperman and Öppemann.

The surname Oppermann can also be found with alternative spellings, including Oppüermann, Oppuermann, Oppirmann, Oppirmann, Oppümann, Oppuemann, Oppeermann, Oppemann, Opperman, Oppemann, Öppermann, Opperamann and Oppimann.

Some variants of the surname Oppermann are encountered in other countries. These include Oppermano and Oppermani in Italy, Oppermanowicz in Poland, Oppermann in Austria, Oppemberg in Sweden, Oppenheim in the Netherlands and Oppermans in Belgium.

In Danish, the surname Oppermann is spelled Opperman. In Norway, one alternate spelling is Oppersn, while in Finland it is spelled Opperssen. In Spain, the surname can be found as Opersman.

Finally, there are some variations of the Oppermann family name that look very different to the original spelling, including Uperman and Upman.

Famous people with the name Oppermann

• Johann Peter Oppermann: a German theologian who was known for his social and patriotic engagements in the 19th century.
• Freerk Oppermann: a German physicist and professor who is known for his contributions to optical technology.
• Karin Oppermann: a German television journalist and author.
• Anke Oppermann: a German lawyer who is currently the Deputy Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.
• Gudrun Oppermann: a German politician who served as the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Demography of Lower Saxony from 2012 to 2017.
• Hendrik Oppermann: a German painter and author from East Frisia.
• Jan Oppermann: a German sociologist and media researcher.
• Sebastian Oppermann: a German politician from the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
• Philipp Oppermann: a German theater director and actor.
• Tim O. Oppermann: a German sport journalist and coach.

Other surnames

Opperman