Surname Höper - Meaning and Origin

Höper: What does the surname Höper mean?

The surname Höper is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "hovaer" or "hoverner", which was an occupational term for someone who engaged in the trade of hops. The name first appeared in documents in 1317, and those who carried the surname were likely traders of hops who were based in the regions of Westphalia and Saxony in Germany. It is presumed that those who bore the name were fairly well-off, as hop production in the Middle Ages was a trade which could produce considerable wealth. The name is still found predominantly in the areas of Germany where its earliest occurrences were documented.

Höper is also a very distinctive surname because of the unusual spelling and the way it has been adapted from the Middle High German term. It is often seen written in slightly different forms, including Hoeps, Hoop, Hopf and Hopen, and the unusual spelling makes it easy to recognize as an old Germanic name.

The name Höper may also be linked to the German word "höpern", which can mean “to play around with” or “to toy with something”, as well as the verb "höpfen", which means “to skip or jump around”. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname may have had a lively or playful character, hence the choice of the variation in spelling and name.

Overall, the surname Höper is a distinctive Germanic name which has a strong historical connection to the occupation of hop trading, and may even reflect a lively character in its original bearer. It is still found in the regions of Germany where the earliest records appear, and continues to be adopted in various forms today.

Höper: Where does the name Höper come from?

The surname Höper is a German surname of a patronymic origin, meaning son of Hopp. Common today, the surname Höper is primarily found throughout Germany, particularly in the northern and western regions. It has also spread to neighbouring countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria. Additionally, the surname Höper is also found quite commonly in the United States, where it has become more widespread due to German immigration during the 19th century. The 2010 United States Census recorded over 900 individuals with the surname Höper in the census, with the highest concentration residing in Wisconsin, followed by Missouri and California.

The surname Höper is also found outside of German-speaking countries, particularly in England and Wales. A 2018 research report on family name distributions in England and Wales revealed that the surname Höper is most common in Cheshire, followed by West Yorkshire. The report also revealed that there are fewer than 500 individuals in Britain with the surname, possibly as a result of British immigration to Germany during the 19th century.

Overall, the surname Höper is most commonly found in Germany, neighbouring countries, and the United States. It is also found in less significant numbers in England and Wales, as well as various other countries.

Variations of the surname Höper

The surname Höper is of German origin. Variants of this surname include Hooper, Hopar, Hopehr, Hoppar, Hoppyr, Hopyr, Hoparer, and Hopehrer.

Höper is derived from a German word meaning 'hoop maker', current research suggests that the first recorded spelling of this family was found in the County of Westphalia, Germany; this form of the origination is thought to date back to the late 16th century. During the 17th century, waves of Germans immigrated to the United States, and it is believed that this surname made the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

Variants of the name Höper can be found in England, mainly in the county of Kent, where the spelling Hooper is most commonly found. It is believed that this variant branch of the Höper family is descended from English settlers who had fled Europe during the reign of Henry VIII.

In Scotland, the spelling Hopar is the most prevalent; this form originates with Scottish immigrants who had moved to the United States from Glasgow in the late 1600s.

In America, the main spellings of the surname are Hooper and Hopper; most versions of this surname found in the United States have been Americanized, due to the influence of immigration to the United States.

In Canada, the surname Hopper is also very common, with Hopyr and Hopehrer also having a presence in the country.

The various spellings of the surname Höper, along with its related variants, provide evidence of the many different cultures and countries this surname has influenced over the years.

Famous people with the name Höper

• Hilmar Höper: German football player who played for Arminia Bielefeld and SG Wattenscheid 09 in the 1970s and 80s.
• Bastian Höper: German journalist and news director of DER SPIEGEL.
• Piet Höper: Dutch athlete who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.
• Niels Höper: Former German alpine ski racer who won the Gold Medal in the 2011 Junior World Championship in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
• Tim Höper: German basketball player who was part of the German national team at the 2018 EuroBasket.
• Judy Höper: Luxembourgian rhythmic gymnast who represented her country in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.
• Mike Höper: Former American football player who played college football for Minnesota.
• Ute Höper: German actress who appeared in various films and television productions in the 1980s and 90s.
• Anita Höper: German diver who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
• Henning Höper: German footballer who played for Bayer Leverkusen in the 1990s and 2000s.

Other surnames

Hopert

Comments or additions to the name "Höper"

18.10.2024
The family name in the USA is also seen spelled Hoeper as the
ö was changed to “oe” at Ellis Island during immigration documentation. Typewriters in the USA at the time did not have the umlaut two dot above a vowel designation.