Surname Eppen - Meaning and Origin
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Eppen: What does the surname Eppen mean?
The last name Eppen is a German surname originating from the old kingdom of Bavaria (now known as Bavaria, Germany). It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German phrase “ebbanen” which means “to offer or bestow” and refers to an individual who was given or presented something of value.
The family name has many historic roots including being name of a German town, a branch of the German noble family-tribe and a traditional holiday festival associated with the family name. The Eppen Easter festival takes place in Bavaria every year and is considered a religious celebration involving singing, dancing, eating and drinking.
Eppen is also part of many coats of arms and belongs to certain families with 3 distinct divisions: Eppen of Oldenburg, Eppen of Holstein and Eppen of Austria.
Eppen is primarily a German surname, but can also be found in other parts of Europe such as Sweden, Norway, France and Netherlands. This could be attributed to the emigration of people in the 18th and 19th centuries in search of better opportunities.
Overall, the last name Eppen has roots in Bavaria and historically a reference to providing a gift or something of value. This is still evident today with many people using the name Eppen as a form of bestowing a blessing.
Order DNA origin analysisEppen: Where does the name Eppen come from?
The last name Eppen is most commonly found in Germany. In the year 2000, records from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that there were approximately 45,000 people with the last name Eppen living in the United States. The majority of those people with the last name Eppen were first and second-generation German-Americans. According to the same census, the highest concentration of people with the last name Eppen was in North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota.
Today, the last name Eppen is still found in Germany, but it is mainly seen in the central, southern, and western regions. According to statistics from the government's website, there were 5,099 people in Germany who carried the Eppen surname in 2017. The majority of Eppen families now live in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The last name Eppen is also found in other parts of the world such as Australia, where it is quite rare. The 2000 census in Australia found just 37 people with the Eppen surname living in the country. However, further research indicates that the number of people with the last name Eppen is now estimated to be around 200 people in Australia.
Additionally, Eppen is a common name in Canada, although it is found mostly in the province of Ontario. The 2006 Canadian census recorded a total of 215 people with the last name Eppen, including 140 living in Ontario alone.
Other parts of the world where Eppen is still found include Russia, Norway, and even some parts of South America. In Russia, Eppen is seen mostly in the Russian regions of Tver Oblast, Arkhangelsk Oblast, and Tula Oblast. It is also found in some parts of Norway, primarily in Rogaland and Møre og Romsdal. Finally, small pockets of people with the last name Eppen can be found in some parts of South America in countries such as Chile.
Variations of the surname Eppen
The surname Eppen is primarily found in Germany, where it is derived from a given name that was popular in the Middle Ages. The variants and spellings of this surname are Ephen, Efene, Eipen, Eppens, Eppin, Eppon, Effen, Eipon, Epen, Eppen, Eppin, Eppon, Epenne, Eppenne, Eypenne, and Eyppenne.
The origin of the name is uncertain and it is believed to come from the old German element of either "ebba," meaning "boar," or "epho," meaning "horse." Both of these elements were used as nicknames, which were eventually adopted as surnames.
The surname Eppen can also be found in the Netherlands, where it is derived from an old Dutch word, "epen," meaning "ash tree." In Low German, the word "epen" means "pine tree," which adds yet another possible origin to the surname.
In terms of variants, this surname has been further adapted to form other surnames such as Eppmann, Eppenstein, Eppenberger, Epman and Oppenheim.
The surname Eppen is typical for those from Germany and the Netherlands, and the variants of the name have seen significant usage in other countries around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Eppen
- Jörg Eppen: German footballer who has played in the Oberliga and 2. Bundesliga and at the European level for FC Schalke 04.
- JoAnn Eppen: Canadian television personality known for her long-running shows such as Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Inside Edition.
- Tim Eppen: Leader and mentor behind the sustainable building industry with the Grain Bin Saloon, first green certification project for a bar in the world.
- Jonathan Eppen: Singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California who fronted the alternative rock band Sweet Apple and later started his own solo career.
- Claus Eppen: German-born inventor who has become known for his significant contributions to automotive technologies, particularly in the field of engine control.
- Helmut Eppen: German engineer and pioneer of modern power plant technology. He invented the space frame tractor in the 1950s and is considered the father of modern agricultural machinery.
- Kane Eppen: British theatre and opera director who has worked extensively with the Glyndebourne Opera Company.
- Corinne Eppen: Swiss-born artist and illustrator known for her use of collage, watercolors and hand-made details to create vibrant, surreal pieces.
- John Eppen: American educational theorist and professor emeritus of learning sciences at Northwestern University.
- Douglas Eppen: Samoan born Australian publishing executive, active in the areas of magazine publishing and public relations.