Surname Kupfer - Meaning and Origin

The Journey of Discovering the Kupfer Legacy: An Emotional iGENEA DNA Test Experience

Undertaking a DNA test with iGENEA led to an emotionally stirring journey of self-discovery, imbuing the family name Kupfer with historical significance and personal pride. Understanding lineage and genetic roots fostered a deeper sense of identity and connection.

L. Kupfer

Kupfer: What does the surname Kupfer mean?

The last name Kupfer is a German-Jewish surname with roots in the Hebrew language. The origin of the name is likely derived from the Yiddish word “kupf” meaning “copper.” It could denote a craftsperson who worked with copper. Alternatively, it could refer to a region in Germany or Poland where copper was mined or used as currency.

In Germany, the earliest known recorded mention of the name Kupfer is from 1554 when a man with the last name Kupfer was listed on a list of tax collectors in Ulm. Over the years, various spellings of the name appeared throughout Germany, including Kupffer, Kupper, Kyphaar, and Küpfern.

By the end of the 19th century, many Jews with the last name Kupfer had emigrated to the United States, though some remained in Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands.

Today, the surname Kupfer is still carried by Jewish families in Germany, the United States, and many other parts of the world. It is also a popular last name for non-Jews, suggesting it was adopted over time by some local communities.

Kupfer: Where does the name Kupfer come from?

The last name Kupfer is most common in Germany and Austria. It is believed to derive from the ancient German word meaning "copper-smith" or "ironsmith". This reflects the original purpose of this surname. Today, the people with the surname Kupfer are primarily of German and Austrian descent, making it one of the most common surnames in those countries. The surname is also found in small numbers in the United States, especially in areas with high German-American populations like Pennsylvania and Ohio.

In Germany, documentation of the surname began as early as 1521 in the city of Schnaittach. Other records from the 1600s and 1700s in Germany show that the Kupfer name was spread across many regions of the country, including Boll, Wolfach, Bad Durkheim, and Gutach.

The descendants of the original Kupfer family still carry on the surname today, in Germany and abroad. Many Kupfers still live in Germany and Austria, but they can also be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Given that the Kupfer name is so steeped in German history, it is no surprise that so many of its descendants still bear its name today.

Variations of the surname Kupfer

The surname Kupfer is believed to originate in Germany and can be spelled in several different ways, including Kuepfer, Cupper, Kaufmann, Koffman, Kupmann, and Copp. All of these variants and spellings can trace their roots back to the same ancestor.

In German, the word Kupfer translates to “copper” which suggests that people bearing this surname derived their name from that material. It was likely an occupational designation for someone who made or traded in copper products such as copper vessels, armor, or jewelry. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old German word “Käufe” which is a word for merchant. This would indicate that the individual may have been a merchant of some sort.

In some cases, there can be regional or religious variations of the same surname. For example, Kupfer and Kaufmann are sometimes interchangeable in some parts of Germany, and Copp is often found in regions with a German-speaking population. Koffsman, Kupmann, and Kupper are other common variants of this surname.

Kupfer is also a common Ashkenazi-Jewish surname. In Yiddish, the word “Kopp” or “Kaff” means head and is the root of the surname Kupfer. In some cases, the surname could have referred to the head of a Jewish community of a group of people.

Finally, the spelling of the surname may have changed depending on where the family moved or settled in Europe. For example, in France the surname would likely have been spelled Kofman, while in other parts of Europe such as Hungary, Czechoslovakia, or Poland variants such as Kuppee or Koffee could be found.

Famous people with the name Kupfer

• Jason Kupfer: television writer and producer for shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, House of Lies, Silicon Valley, and 19-2.
• Emily Kupfer: award-winning contemporary portrait painter.
• Nathan Kupfer: modern composer, arranger, and pianist.
• Hamish Kupfer: British voice actor and narrator.
• Craig Kupfer: American football wide receiver.
• Ari Kupfer: former professional diver and two-time Canadian Senior Men’s Champion.
• Sarah Kupfer: award-winning author of The Surface Breaks.
• Daniel Kupfer: Emmy-winning creative director and VFX producer. 9. Sven Kupfer: Austrian equestrian athlete, dressage specialist.
• Rudolf Kupfer: professional organist and teacher of violin, viola, cello, composition, and opera.
• Noah Kupfer: teenage film director whose works have been screened in festivals all over the world.
• Ari Kupfer: Canadian football player.
• Caryn Kupfer: professor of Religion at Emory University and an expert in American religious history.
• Marcel Kupfer: Latin Grammy winning singer and songwriter.
• Julie Kupfer: independent film producer for documentaries, narrative films, and television series.

Other surnames

KupferbergKupfererKupfermannKupferschlaegerKupferschlägerKupferschmidKupferschmidtKupferschmiedKupferschmiedtKupferschmitKupferschmitt