Both his father, Emil Toeplitz, and his grandfather, Julius Toeplitz, taught mathematics in a Gymnasium and they also both published mathematics papers. Otto was brought up in Breslau and he attended a Gymnasium in that city.
Pareho ang kanyang ama, Emil Toeplitz, at ang kanyang apo, Julius Toeplitz, tinuturuan matematika sa isang himnasyo at sila rin ang parehong nai-publish sa matematika mga papeles. Oto ay nagdala sa Breslau at siya pumasok sa isang himnasyo na sa lungsod.