The Oppermann name

The Oppermann name originated in the north of Germany and is the occupational name for a Churchwarden or Sexton, with particular reference to their task of taking the Church collection. Oppermann is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church or type of tree.

The name Oppermann comes from Rhineland, an achient region of Germany. In pre-medieval times the Germans used only one name, but later they were forced by a growing population to adopt hereditary surnames, so as to remain distinct from others using the same personal (first) name. Local names derived from place names, were often chosen. They originally indicated land ownership and frequently carried the prefix von, meaning "of" or "from", which is often taken as an indication of aristocratic lineage. Oppermann was a name for someone who lived in the region of Oppenheim in the town of Hesse which was located between Mainz and Worms.

The surname Oppermann was first found in the Rhineland, where the name Oppenheim was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society that became prominent throughout Europe. The name later emerged as a notable family with great influence, having many distinguished branches that became noted for their involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Our own family originated in Hanover in the north of Germany and at some stage prior to the 16th century they moved to Basel in Switzerland where many generations of the family lived.