Surname Grothkopp - Meaning and Origin

Grothkopp: What does the surname Grothkopp mean?

The surname Grothkopp is German in origin and is derived from the occupational name groutmaker, or one who worked with a mortar-like substance. The name is made up of two nouns ‘Groth’ and ‘Kopp’ which when combined translates to ‘tankard’ or ‘cup’. It may be that the original occupier of the name was a worker in the pottery or porcelain industry, producing cups and pitchers.

Grothkopp is a fairly uncommon surname, with the original people that held the name travelling from Germany to the United States in the mid to late-1800s. It is found predominantly in the Midwest and in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. The name has been used as a first name on occasion, but is much more commonly used as a middle name.

Grothkopp is unique in its meaning and history, making it an interesting and uncommon name. To its original holder, it may have been a sign of their occupation or status as a potter or porcelain worker, and to their descendants it serves as a reminder of their family's roots and the hard work of those that have gone before them.

Grothkopp: Where does the name Grothkopp come from?

The German surname Grothkopp is most common in Germany today. It is less common in other parts of Europe, but it can be found in areas like Denmark, Sweden, and Poland, as well as other parts of northern Europe. The majority of people who carry the Grothkopp name can trace their ancestry to Bavaria or other areas of Germany. According to records, the name was first recorded in the early 1400s, suggesting that it may have originally been of Flemish origin.

The Grothkopp surname was particularly prominent in the Duchy of Saxe-Meissen, which traded heavily with the Hanseatic League. Records from this time suggest that the Grothkopp family was involved in merchant trading activities, an occupation that would carry on into the 19th century. Today, it’s likely that many of those who carry the name are still involved in trade or related activities.

Grothkopp families in Germany often settled in towns such as Leipzig, Dresden, and Goslar, suggesting that some people may still live in these areas today. The name is believed to mean “great head” in German, and it’s possible that other spellings of the name have arisen over time in different parts of Europe, such as Großdopf, Großschopf, or Groethkopp. Despite its original regional prevalence in Germany, it’s possible to find Grothkopp families living all over the world today.

Variations of the surname Grothkopp

Grothkopp is one of the more unusual surnames you may come across. It is uncommon but has several possible variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these names include: Grothkop, Grothkopf, Grothkopf, Grothkopf, Grothkops, Gruithkopf, Kruthkopf, Grillkopf and Krothkopf.

Grothkopp, as well as its many variants, hail from Germany and can be traced back to Medieval Germany and the 15th century. The name is thought to hail from the Old German word ‘gruit,’ meaning ‘grain’, making Grothkopp a toponymic surname for someone who lived near a grain store or mill.

Grothkopp is also the German surname for Grothe who is an ancient name and also part of family's history in very early times. Grothel, a variant of the family name Grothkopp, is of local origin and was derived from place names in Germany.

Grothkopp is not a very common surname and is not easily found in either Germany or the U.S. However, it can still be found in small concentrations. In Germany, thetowns of Berlin, Cologne, Munich and Stuttgart all have larger concentrations of the Grothkopp surname. It is much rarer in the U.S., where the surname is mainly found in Florida, Illinois, New York and California.

Famous people with the name Grothkopp

• Christian Grothkopp: A German entertainer, actor, and voice actor who has over 25 years of experience in the film, television, and voice-over industry.
• August Grothkopp: A German playwright and theatre director who wrote more than sixty plays between 1820 and 1889.
• John Grothkopp: A British actor who is best known for his roles in such films as Tom Thumb and The Damned.
• Johann Straus Grothkopp: A German-born scientist and inventor who worked in the field of electricity and telegraphy from 1813-1883.
• Hans Grothkopp: A German composer who composed for many different musical instruments including the viola, organ, harpischord, flute, and string quartet.
• Ulrich Grothkopp: Former professor of medical psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany, and the first to describe and publish medical case studies involving neurological disease in 1906.
• August Grothkopp: A German physician and pioneer in the fields of oncology and medical therapy who wrote a book, Oncology: Experimental and Clinical, in 1937.
• Heinz Grothkopp: A German soccer coach and scout who is credited with discovering and developing the careers of several high-profile players over the course of his 20-year career.
• Claus Grothkopp: A German-born professional illustrator and author known for illustrating children’s books and creating award-winning visual stories.
• Peter Grothkopp: A German sculptor and painter who was part of the Weimar Bauhaus and produced a series of innovative architectural sculptures in the early 20th century.
• Wolfgang Grothkopp: A German businessman and entrepreneur who founded the Grothkopp Group, now one of Europe's leading industrial conglomerates.

Other surnames

GrothkopGrothkopf