Surname Wißkopp - Meaning and Origin
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Wißkopp: What does the surname Wißkopp mean?
The last name Wißkopp is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the elements "wisk" meaning 'willow' or 'withey', and "kopp" meaning 'top' or 'head'. Together, these elements create the meaning "willow-top".
Historically, Wißkopp is a topographic surname; meaning it was likely used to describe someone who lived at or near a prominent willow tree, likely due to its distinguishing presence in the area. It may also be the name of a place; for instance, a town where many prominent willow trees existed could have been named "Wißkoppen" or "Wißkopp" in the Middle Ages.
Wißkopp is a fairly uncommon last name, and those who bare it today likely live in or near Germany. There is a bus stop in Herzberg Germany named Wißkoppen, giving some indication as to the prevalence of the name in that particular area.
The Wißkopp surname is a unique and interesting one with an interesting story behind it. It serves as an interesting reminder of the rich history and culture of the German people, and its use indicates a strong familial connection to the Germanic lands.
Order DNA origin analysisWißkopp: Where does the name Wißkopp come from?
The last name Wißkopp is most commonly found in Germany. It is a German surname of Slavic origin, derived from a personal name ending in suffix '-kopp' or '-copf'. It's believed the name originated in the German states of Brandenburg, Saxony or Prussia.
The name is most common in the German states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Berlin. It can also be found in small numbers across the globe, mainly in countries with significant German-speaking populations such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina.
The German population database Ahnenforschung lists hundreds of Wißkopps, suggesting the name is still used today. Results of a 2016 survey of German surnames found that Wißkopp was the 2,312th most popular surname in Germany with an estimated 288 bearers.
Wißkopp can be found in various forms, with variations including Wischkopp, Wischkopf, Wischke, Wizkopp or Wizkopf. It is derived from a personal name ending in the suffix ‘-kopp’. While the meaning of the name is disputed, it could depict a person with a large head or a craftsperson of type Kopper (copper).
The website "Deutsche Surname" states that “Wizkopp” is a regional variation of the original name Wißkopp. There is also a Wißkopp family tree going back many generations, listed with Genealogy.net. The earliest instances of the name in their records dates back to 1727.
Variations of the surname Wißkopp
The surname Wißkopp is an occupational name of German origin most popularly used by people living in northern Germany. It has various cocktail spellings and slight variations that include Wisskopp, Wiskopp, Wisckopp, Wischkopp, Wischopp, Wischopp, Wiscko, Wisckop, Wisckopp, Wisckoppe, Wisckopf, Wiskopf, Wislepp, Wisslepp, and Wiskepp.
Alternative surnames with a similar origin that appear in German records include Wißelmann, Wißmann, Willkop, and Wilskepp.
In the United States, the surname was typically anglicized to Wickopp and can also be found under versions such as Wickeopp, Wickop, Wickopp, Wickhop, Wickyopp, Wiscop, Wis cop, and Wypcopp.
The surname can also be found in other parts of Europe. In the Netherlands, the Wiccop spelling is the most commonly used variation, while in France it is typically seen as Wiscopf.
None of the spellings or variations of the surname have any particular significance, but in some cases it may refer to the first owner of the surname who was an orphan. This was common in medieval Germany, as orphans were known to take the name of their place of origin combined with the Old German word "Kopp" meaning "head" as their surname.
Famous people with the name Wißkopp
- Michael Wißkopp: German international professional footballer who plays for Inter Milan
- Klaus-Dieter Wißkopp: German investigative journalist, director of the Leipzig Media Academy
- Frank Wißkopp: German former professional volleyball player
- Helmut Wißkopp: German former track and field athlete
- Reiner Wißkopp: German former professional footballer
- Peter Wißkopp: German former international cyclist
- Marco Wißkopp: German former professional basketball player
- Jan Wißkopp: German model, blogger and actor
- Lars Wißkopp: German former professional tennis player
- Lothar Wißkopp: German former professional cyclist