Surname Jaspar - Meaning and Origin
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Jaspar: What does the surname Jaspar mean?
The origin of the surname Jaspar is uncertain, but there are several possible sources that have been suggested. It is thought to be either French, Dutch, German, or Jewish. One possibility is that it comes from a medieval given name, Jasper, which was itself derived from the Greek ἴασπις (iaspis), meaning "jasper" or "mottled stone". This could have been taken as a surname, perhaps to signify status or the possession of expensive jewelry.
In France, the name might have come from the Northern French phrase ges par, meaning "many heads" or "many parts" and referring to the group of people sharing the name. Similarly, the Dutch version of the name, Gaspar, may have originated from the Dutch phrase gesper, meaning "gatekeeper" or "doorkeeper". In Germany, the name could have derived from a form of Gaspar, Gasparin or Jasparin, a masculine diminutive of the Jewish personal name Gaspard.
Whatever the origin, the name Jaspar has become a common surname around the world. It is mostly found in France and Belgium as well as other parts of Europe and the Americas. The name has had quite a few famous bearers in popular culture, including two American actresses—Julia and Jenna Jaspar (sisters) and the English actor, Richard Jaspar.
Order DNA origin analysisJaspar: Where does the name Jaspar come from?
The last name Jaspar is most commonly found in the United States. People with the last name have originated from many places, including Wales, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
In US Census records, the name Jaspar is most popular in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri, followed by Oklahoma. People with this surname often have a Southern American heritage.
Today, there are also many people in other countries who have adopted the surname. For example, in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, there are banks, health services, and similar businesses bearing the last name Jaspar.
Jaspar is a surname that appears to have its origins in the Christian faith. It may come from a biblical name, such as Jasper, one of the 12 apostles in the Bible. It may also come from an Old Norse name, meaning “a sharp-sighted man”, with references to jasper stones in the Bible also. As such, the name may have been adopted by those of a religious background.
No matter the origin, the presence of the last name Jaspar can be found across the world today in a variety of places.
Variations of the surname Jaspar
The surname Jaspar is a variant of the much older French name Gaspar. There are various spellings and surnames of this name including Gaspard, Gaspare, Gaspardin, Gasprini, G indispensable, Gasparilla, Gaspary, Gaston, Gascon, Gaspardino, Jabez, Gaspardelli, Gustave, Gascoine, Gascarino, Gaspardini, and Gaspardelli.
The origin of these names and spellings is believed to be derived from the Persian "Gaspar", which is derived from the Persian name found in the Old Testament (Ezra 2:2) for a young man of Babylon. The first reference in English for the surname “Jaspar” was in 1180. It is also believed to be derived from the Latin name Gaspar, which comes from the Persian title “ghazeba”, which was used to describe a leader or protector.
Over the years, as people moved around from country to country, the name has been spelled in many variations, including Gasparo, Gaston, Gaspare, Jabez, and Gascoine.
During the Middle Ages, the French Gaspar was found in England in its Norman form, Jasper, and this is the spelling which is most commonly used today. Some other English dialects adopted the Gaspar spelling, while others, like German and Dutch, adopted the Jasper spelling.
This name has also been adopted and utilized by people of Jewish descent, many of whom have likely adopted it from the Aramaic spelling of Gaspar.
In the end, no matter the spelling used, the origin of the surname Jaspar has stayed the same — a powerful protector from Persia.
Famous people with the name Jaspar
- Jasper Johns: artist and painter.
- Tori Jaspar: professional dancer, model and actress.
- Dave Jasper: professional bassist, composer and arranger.
- Bill Jasper: American politician.
- Thorsten Jaspar: German composer and singer.
- Matt Jasper: American stand-up comedian and actor.
- Rennie Jasper: Canadian actor and former professional football player.
- Florian Jaspar: German theatre and film director.
- Juliette Jaspar: French actress.
- Polina Jaspar: Russian cartoonist and illustrator.
- M. Night Shyamalan: American filmmaker best known for writing, producing and directing The Sixth Sense.
- Maurice Jasper: American jazz drummer.
- Mark Jasper: British actor, writer and composer.
- Giorgio Jaspar: Swiss professional ice hockey forward.
- Eddie Jasper: American R&B singer.
- Nils Jasper: German professional football player.
- Chris Jasper: Soul music and R&B singer-songwriter.
- Don Jasper: American corporate executive.
- Virginie Jaspar: French fashion designer.
- Fred Jasper: Canadian ice hockey forward.