Surname Tepfer - Meaning and Origin

Tepfer: What does the surname Tepfer mean?

The last name Tepfer is of German and Alsace-Lorraine origin. It is derived from the German word "Tepf", which means "to lap" or "to spoon". The root word of this name is likely derived from the Latin word "tepidus" which literally translates to “warm”.

The name Tepfer is primarily used as a surname and is also widely found amongst German-speaking communities in the United States. It is believed that the Tepfer family originated in the region of Alsace-Lorraine during the Middle Ages. This area was long disputed between Germany and France and, as a result, many families in the area adopted blended German-French surnames including Tepfer.

Throughout history, many people have been known to bear the surname Tepfer including the famous German-American conductor and composer, Julius Tepfers (1868–1948). The Tepfer surname is still very common in Germany today and those carrying it have likely been associated with Alsace-Lorraine for centuries.

The literal meanings of the name suggest that those who bear it have a warm and inviting personality, able to “lap up” and appreciate life’s pleasures.

Tepfer: Where does the name Tepfer come from?

The last name Tepfer is most frequent today in Germany, where it is ranked as the 8,143rd most common surname. It is also present in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries with Germanic diaspora populations.

In Germany, the last name Tepfer is most frequent in North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and other regions that belonged to West Germany prior to reunification in 1990. In the United States, the name is most frequent in New Jersey, followed by New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio.

An analysis of the name's distribution in Germany suggests that it originated in the Lower Rhine region, in an area of the border between the Netherlands and Germany close to the city of Düsseldorf. This is the area from which most Germanic diaspora around the world are descended.

The etymological origin of the name is uncertain. It could be related to the personal name Teutfried, formed from the Germanic tribal name of the Teutones (Teutonen) and the Old High German element friot, meaning "peace", suggesting the name originated in a Germanic tribe or a personal name of Germanic origin possibly indicative of a tribal affiliation.

Variations of the surname Tepfer

The surname Tepfer has a variety of spellings, variants and related surnames. A few of these are Tepper, Teppler, Teplar, Tupper and Tiefer. The Anglo-Saxon name Tepfer was an occupational name for a baker, derived from the Middle English word “teppen”, which meant to bake. In France, this name often went by the spelling Teppier while in Germany and Austria it was spelled Teppler.

The names Tupper and Tuppen are other variants of this surname. Tupper is an English name that could be derived from the Middle English word “tuppen”, meaning to top or cover, and was often given to someone who made lids or covers for vessels. In some cases, it could be a nickname for someone with a large stubborn head, which would be similar to the meaning of a teppen.

The surname Tiefer is also related to Tepfer and is mainly found in Germany. This name comes from the Middle High German word “tîfer”, meaning deep or profound, and could be a nickname for someone who was wise or learned.

Overall, Tepfer is a surname with many possible spellings, variants, and related surnames. It has an interesting historical background and can be traced back to many different countries and cultures, including England, France, Germany, and Austria.

Famous people with the name Tepfer

• Rachel Tepfer: American actress featured in shows such as The Big Bang Theory and The Voice.
• Laida Lertxundi: Spanish filmmaker and visual artist.
• Tracey Tepfer: Music producer, audio engineer, songwriter and an American musician.
• Abner Douglas Tepfer: Private in the United States Army during WWII who received the Medal of Honor.
• Meghann Tepfer: Popular beauty YouTuber from Los Angeles. Her channel has over 150,000 subscribers.
• Alexander Tepfer: American theater director and acting professor at UW-Milwaukee.
• Holly Tepfer: American artist and animator.
• Benjamin Tepfer: Composer and professor of music at UC Santa Cruz.
• Ramone Tepfer: American model, artist, and photographer.
• Todd Tepfer: Professional poker player.
• John Tepfer: American professor of history and the academic director of the Institute of Baltic Studies.
• Brett Tepfer: American football tight end who currently plays for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
• Marisa Tepfer: American professional golfer on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.

Other surnames

Tepfert