Surname Spitzkopf - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Spitzkopf: What does the surname Spitzkopf mean?
The surname Spitzkopf is a German surname which is derived from the words “spitz” meaning ‘pointed’ and “kopf" meaning ‘head’, and thus literally means “pointed head”. In Germany it is most commonly found in the west near the Dutch border.
The surname may have originated as an occupational name for somebody who had a particularly pointed head of hair, or an individual with a distinctively pointed head, perhaps due to an injury in childhood. Alternatively, given the medieval association of the word “spitzkopf” with the devil, it’s possible that the referring to somebody with an evil character or severe temper.
The earliest known bearer of the name, known as “Spitzkopp”, appears in the historial records of Europe in the year 1273 in the form of a German tax collector working for the Archbishop of Bremen who asserted his authority in the region of Esens.
Despite its Germanic origins, Spitzkopf can also be found as a surname in a number of countries outside of Germany. In some locations, particularly in the United States, the spelling has been changed to “Spitzkop” with the additional ‘f’ being dropped. Today the Spitzkopf name can be found throughout Europe, the Americas and even in Australia and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisSpitzkopf: Where does the name Spitzkopf come from?
The surname Spitzkopf is common today predominantly in Germany. It is an uncommon, but not necessarily rare surname found throughout Germany. It is also found in other parts of Europe, especially in the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Austria, as well as in parts of the United States, Canada and South Africa.
The meaning of Spitzkopf is "pointed head" and was originally used to describe someone with a sharp or pointed head shape. It is believed to have referred to a physical characteristic that some people possessed. Over time, the name became a surname for individuals in those countries.
The name is still used in Germany today and is found in many areas. It is common in the Westphalen (Westphalia) region, but can also be found in other areas throughout Germany. In the North Rhineland-Palatinate region, there are concentrations of people with the surname, particularly in the cities of Frankfurt and Mainz. In the state of Bavaria, it is most often seen in the cities of Munich, Nuremberg and Regensburg. The surname is also found in the German-speaking provinces of the Netherlands, Belgium and parts of Switzerland, as well as in Texas, New York and California in the United States.
Spitzkopf is a strong German surname that reflects the country's history and culture, and is still being used to this day.
Variations of the surname Spitzkopf
The surname Spitzkopf can be spelt in many different ways and can vary due to regional differences. Some common variants include Spitzkoff, Spitzzkopf, Spiczkopf and Spitzkoff. These variations may stem from the fact that the name originated from High German language which has many dialects.
Surnames of the same origin can also be constructed from the base word ‘Spitz’ or ‘Spitzkopf’. Some of these might include Spitzmiller, Spitzenberger, Spitzberger, Spitzhauer and Spitzner.
It is also possible to find surnames from a similar or related area of origin. These might include Speckermann, Speckbauer, Speckenbach, Spreckelsen and Sprofito.
It is important to note that there are many other spellings and surnames of the same origin, so this list should not be taken as exhaustive. To distinguish between these related surnames, a research of the family’s history should be conducted in order to find the exact spelling of the chosen surname.
Famous people with the name Spitzkopf
- Computer scientist Dr Axel Spitzkopf, known for his pioneering work in human-computer interaction.
- Chef and food writer Sarah Spitzkopf, author of several cookbooks including 'The New Jewish Table'.
- Surfer and two-time world champion, Kelly Spitzkopf.
- Former professional basketball player and National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star, Rory Spitzkopf.
- Professional golfer, Cole Spitzkopf.
- Professional skateboarder in the early 2000s and co-creator of the clothing brand Invisible, Chase Spitzkopf.
- German composer and former opera director, Carl Spitzkopf.
- German biologist and neuroscientist, Lothar Spitzkopf.
- American artist and art professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Robert Spitzkopf. 10.German mountaineer and alpinist, Rüdiger Spitzkopf.