Surname Töppke - Meaning and Origin
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Töppke: What does the surname Töppke mean?
The last name Töppke is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word “toppen”, which means “to top.” This could refer to an occupation, such as a top maker or a topman, as well as a characteristic quality, such as leading, excelling at, or being at the top of something.
The surname, Töppke, is found in records as early as 1408, when Reinken Töppke was recorded, and again in Der Stralsund in 1686 when Hans Töppke was recorded. Töppke is still to be found today in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
The name itself may have come to stand for qualities such as trustworthiness, diligence, good judgement, and the ability to excel at any given task. It could have also been seen as a way to honor somebody who had achieved a great feat or endeavor, or who had a great impact on the law of the land, culture, or society.
The Töppke family is regarded in German communities as being one of meaningful importance, and those with the last name are said to have honor in their blood. It is a name that has been, and that continues to be associated with excellence and reliability.
Order DNA origin analysisTöppke: Where does the name Töppke come from?
The last name Töppke is most common in Germany, specifically in towns in Lower Saxony such as Oldenburg, Delmenhorst, and Emden. In addition, there are records of the Töppke family originating in Fulda near the Rhön Mountains in Bavaria.
The name Töppke is derived from the German word "töppe" which means "blockhead" or "stupid". The name was likely given to someone who was thought to be a bit slow-witted or clumsy.
In modern Germany, the Töppke name is still relatively common, with nearly 5,000 individuals bearing the name listed in the phone book, and thousands more with the spelling variations of Tapperke, Topke, Topfke, and Toufke.
Outside of Germany, Töppke can still be found, especially in German-speaking communities across the world like North America and Australia. The name is also found throughout Scandinavia, including Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
No matter where it's found today, the Töppke name is a reminder of a long history tracing back to ancient Germany, and for many, a reminder of a dubious and entertaining past.
Variations of the surname Töppke
Töppke is an old German surname mainly found in Germany, Poland, and Russia. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Toepke, Toepffer, Toepfer, Topeffer, and Töpfer.
The head of the Töppke family originated in the Rhineland in Germany. The Töppke surname first appeared in the Rhineland during the 13th century. It is derived from the Old German elements “toepf” which means basket and “ke” meaning small, forming the combined meaning of "one who sells or manufactures baskets".
During the migration of German-speaking people around the world, various spellings of Töppke were established. In the United States, the spelling often changed to “Toepke” due to the more widespread use of English. In Russia, the surname became “Töpfer” due to the Russian alphabet. The spelling of Toepffer and Topeffer often appears due to incorrect phoneticizing of the German surname, but the pronunciation remains the same.
The surname and its variants are also found in Poland, often spelled as “Toepfer”; however a spelling variant, “Töpfner”, is also used.
Current surnames derived from Töppke include Töppgen, Töppngen, Toepgens, and Toepngens; all derived from “Töppke”. As the spelling was changed in different countries it is possible to find many variations in the spelling of these variants.
Famous people with the name Töppke
- Imke Töppke: a German politician in the Die Linke party.
- Klaas Töppke: a German journalist and writer.
- Elke Töppke-Konopka: a German film director and screenwriter.
- Christa Töppke: a German actress.
- Chris Töppke: a former German Footballer.
- Friedrich Töppke: a former German swimmer who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Sven Töppke: a former German football player who appeared in over 15 matches for the German national team.
- Uwe Töppke: a German actor, best known for his work in several films and television shows.
- Heiko Töppke: a German handball player.
- Paul Töppke: a former German coach and player of table tennis.