Surname Eppelsheimer - Meaning and Origin

Eppelsheimer: What does the surname Eppelsheimer mean?

The last name Eppelsheimer is an occupational name meaning "epple maker" in the German language. This name originated in the late Medieval period, primarily in the Swabian region of Germany. The name came from someone who was a maker of epples, which are wooden wheels used for spinning yarn or distaffs. It is believed that the word “epple” is derived from the German word “epfer”, a type of wheel popularly used in spinning before the invention of the spinning wheel.

The earliest recorded references to this name come from the 15th century, when Johannes Eppelsheimer is mentioned as living in Offenau, in the region of Baden-Württemberg in Germany. The name has also been seen in records from nearby Bavaria, where it was found spelt as “Effelsheimer".

Today, the last name Eppelsheimer is still found in Germany and in other countries of German origin. It is also carried by many people of German ancestry who migrated to other parts of the world, particularly the United States. In North America, Eppelsheimer is more commonly spelled as Eppelman, but still holds the same meaning and origin.

Although the name has been changed and is now more widely spread, it still represents the history and culture of the German people, and all who carry it should be proud of their heritage.

Eppelsheimer: Where does the name Eppelsheimer come from?

The last name Eppelsheimer is a German surname which is likely derived from the place-name element "Eppel", meaning "apple tree". Today, this surname is most common in Germany and parts of central and eastern Europe including Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. It is also present in France, where it was likely introduced by German-speaking immigrants during the latter half of the 19th century.

In the United States, this surname is found primarily in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, as German immigrants spread out along the east coast in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 2020 census, the last name Eppelsheimer was reported to be present in 12 states across the US, including California, New York and Florida.

Eppelsheimer is not a particularly common name and there are very few people with this last name in the countries where it is present. However, it does have a rich history in Europe, having been established hundreds of years ago.

Variations of the surname Eppelsheimer

The surname Eppelsheimer comes from the Eppelheim region near Mannheim, Germany. Variants of this surname include Epelsheimer, Epplesheimer, Epplisheimer, Eppelheimer, Epelsheimer, Appelheimer, Aplelsheimer, Apellheimer, Applesheimer and Applisheimer.

The spelling of the name itself has varied over time, with some documents from the 1800s showing Epelsheimerspellings, while other sources list the spelling as Eppelsheimer.

The surname can also be found with a plethora of variations, including Apellesheimer, Ebbelsheimer, Opelsheimer, Opplesheimer, Opplisheimer, Oppelheimer, Elblesheimer, Elplsheimer, Ellesheimer and Ellisheimer.

The surnames Epelsheimer and Eppelsheimer were also used interchangeably, with some families using the former variant, while others used the latter.

The surname is also a patronymic name, with some families carrying the name Eppelsheimer as their second name, including von Eppelsheimer and von Epelsheimer.

The patronymic suffix "-er" is a common element among German surnames and could be used to represent occupations, such as bakers or millers. The ending "-er" could also have been used to designate regions or to distinguish between members of the same family, such as John Eppersheimer and his son Peter Eppersheimer.

Famous people with the name Eppelsheimer

• Steven Eppelsheimer: A Canadian nature and wildlife photographer known for capturing breathtaking scenes of remote areas, including Glacier National Park in Montana.
• Bill Eppelsheimer: A former professional American football coach in the National Football League.
• Sarah Eppelsheimer: An artist and fantasy writer that works in both traditional and digital media.
• Holly Anderson-Eppelsheimer: An American bohéme fashion designer noted for her signature style of ethereal, bohemian gowns and tops.
• Paul Eppelsheimer: A composer known for his Irish-inspired folk music and baroque jazz sound.
• Karl Eppelsheimer: A German composer best known for his operas, oratorios, and church music compositions; as well as his various collaborations with Bach and Handel.
• Daniel Eppelsheimer: A professional contemporary dancer and theatre practitioner from St Louis, Missouri, USA.
• Julius Eppelsheimer: A German businessman who founded the leading German department store KaDeWe.
• Max Eppelsheimer: A businessman who helped introduce electromechanical technology and consumer products to the American market.
• August Eppelsheimer: A celebrity chef and restaurateur who owned some of New York's biggest restaurants and catering companies.

Other surnames

Eppelsheim