Surname Caspers - Meaning and Origin
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Caspers: What does the surname Caspers mean?
The last name Caspers is of German origin and derives from the personal name Kaspar, which itself is a form of the Hebrew name 'Jephtah'. Kaspar is derived from the Hebrew phrase 'Jephtah Elohim', which means 'God will increase' (or 'God gives increase').
The surname Caspers first appeared in western Germanic-speaking regions, specifically around Hannover in Lower Saxony. It is thought to have spread to the rest of Germany in the 17th century. The last name Caspers may also be linked to the word 'Kasperen', which means 'stutter'.
In the early days of its occurrence, the last name Caspers may have been spelled in various ways, such as Casper, Gaspers, Gaspar, Kaspar. The name Caspers is widely spread today, from Australia to the USA and many other countries between them - although it is still most commonly associated with Germany and the Netherlands.
Caspers is an uncommonly used last name; the most frequently-used variants are Casper and Kaz shareholders. Those with the last name Caspers generally have strong links to Germany or the Netherlands, with a rich cultural history and a sense of pride towards their heritage. In the modern day, the last name Caspers is well known among many countries and is described as a unique and rare last name.
Order DNA origin analysisCaspers: Where does the name Caspers come from?
The last name Caspers is most widely seen today in Germany. It is one of the most common German surnames, originating in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Aptly named, the surname is believed to have derived from the old German words for ‘spear’ and ‘divine’, creating a close direct translation of ‘divine spear’. It is thought to have originated as an occupational name for a professional in the weapons trade.
Throughout the centuries, the descendants of this surname spread across Europe and beyond, primarily settling within other parts of Germany, but also the neighbouring countries of Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. It is also present in the United States, with many of the posts-18th century migrations coming from European regions, primarily Germany. Nowadays, it is estimated that over 40,000 individuals in the United States alone share this unique family name.
Caspers is one of the most common surnames in Germany; it is thought to be the 86th most common family name in the country. It is also common throughout the rest of Europe, especially the Benelux region and parts of Switzerland. It has lain dormant in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, however an increasing amount of immigrants are being born and/or settling in these countries, which is causing the name to become more popular.
Variations of the surname Caspers
The surname Caspers has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants and spellings include Caspersen, Caspar, Casper, Casspers, Casparini, Caspersohn, Kaspers, Kaspersohn, and Kapsersohn.
Of these variants, the most popular is Caspersen, as it has been used in many parts of Europe for centuries. The original spelling of Caspersen comes from the Middle Dutch "casper", which is derived from the Latin "Caspars". This root name comes from the same origin as the name Jasper, which is rooted in the Old Hebrew and translates roughly as "grandfather of a nation".
In English, the surname Caspers is most often seen with its German spelling Casperson. This is due to the early German settlers who arrived in America in the late 1600s and adopted this spelling of the name. The Dutch spelling is rarely seen in English-speaking countries.
The German spelling of the surname is occasionally seen in the form of Kaspers or Kaspersen. The K-prefix is thought to be derived from the German name Caspar, which has been used widely in Germany since the 14th century.
Finally, there is the Italian variant of Casparini. This form is thought to be derived from the Latin name Casperinus, which is an altered form of Old Latin Caspars. This is the oldest recorded variant of the name, dating back to Roman times.
All of these variants have kept the core meaning originally associated with the name Caspers, which is "grandfather of a nation".
Famous people with the name Caspers
- John Caspers: Former American football defensive tackle who played for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Wilfred Caspers: Dutch country and blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
- Rien Caspers: Dutch radio presenter and DJ.
- Bill Caspers: American swing/jazz violinist.
- Steve Caspers: American actor and award-winning theatre director.
- Lee-Roy Caspers: Canadian Olympic silver medalist in shooting.
- Rell Caspers: Dutch slalom canoeist who has competed since 2001.
- Béla Caspers: Hungarian Enduro and motocross racer.
- Wilfried Caspers: German author and a cancer researcher.
- Jos Caspers: Dutch rower who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.