Koppelman
A surname originating from Germany referring to a small landowner or farmer.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Koppelman. That puts it at #33,856 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Koppelman surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#33,856
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
672
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 672 bearers of the surname Koppelman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 33856th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Koppelman, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Koppelman
The surname Koppelman is of German origin, originating in the late medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the German word "Koppel," meaning a coupling or a small enclosed field. The name likely referred to someone who lived in or worked on a small farm or enclosure.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Koppelman can be found in the historical records of the Rhineland region of Germany, specifically in the city of Cologne. In a manuscript dated 1312, a certain "Henricus Koppelman" is mentioned as a landowner in the outskirts of the city.
As the name spread across Germany, variations in spelling emerged, such as Koppelmann, Koppelman, and Koppelmann. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the way the name was pronounced in different areas.
In the 16th century, the name Koppelman appeared in the town records of Wesel, a city in the Lower Rhine region of Germany. A certain "Johann Koppelman" was listed as a merchant and member of the town council in 1542.
One notable historical figure with the surname Koppelman was Johann Gottfried Koppelman (1663-1727), a German theologian and author who served as a professor at the University of Jena. His work "De Jure Gentium" (On the Law of Nations) was widely influential in the field of international law.
Another individual of note was Friedrich Wilhelm Koppelman (1799-1872), a German engineer and inventor who pioneered the use of steel in the construction of bridges and railway infrastructure. His innovative designs played a crucial role in the development of modern transportation systems.
In the 19th century, the Koppelman name was also found in the Netherlands, likely due to migration from Germany. One prominent figure was Isaäc Koppelman (1818-1887), a Dutch banker and philanthropist who funded the construction of several schools and hospitals in Amsterdam.
Across the Atlantic, the name Koppelman appeared in the United States in the late 19th century, as German immigrants settled in various parts of the country. One early record is that of Wilhelm Koppelman (1845-1921), a German-born farmer who settled in Wisconsin in 1868.
Another notable American with the surname Koppelman was Arnold Koppelman (1902-1985), a successful businessman and real estate developer who played a significant role in the development of Miami Beach, Florida.
Throughout its history, the surname Koppelman has been associated with various professions, from landowners and merchants to scholars, engineers, and entrepreneurs, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who have carried this name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Koppelman
Among Census respondents with the surname Koppelman, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Koppelman bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Koppelman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.1%
- Hispanic or Latino3.1%
- Two or more races1.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Koppelman surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #33,856 | #33,856 | 0.0% |
| Count | 672 | 672 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Koppelman bearers went from 672 to 672 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #33,856 to #33,856.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Koppelman
FAQ
Koppelman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Koppelman?
The surname Koppelman holds position #33,856 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Koppelman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Koppelman, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.1%) and Two or More Races (1.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.