Surname Caspar - Meaning and Origin
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Caspar: What does the surname Caspar mean?
The surname Caspar is derived from the Hebrew name Kaspar, which means “treasurer” or “guardian of the treasury”. It is believed to have originated from the Chaldean language, meaning “treasure”.
The name Caspar (or the variant spellings Casper and Kaspar) is very common in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. It is also found in France, Italy, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe. In the United States, the surname is mainly found among German, Dutch, and English-speaking people.
Caspar is a traditional Christian name, as it was the traditional name of one of the three wise men to visit Jesus at his birth according to Christian tradition. Furthermore, the Caspar surname is also associated with Saint Caspar of Milan, an Italian saint from the 4th century who was a messenger between Pope Liberius and Emperor Constantine.
The variation of Caspar is linked to the character of Casper the Friendly Ghost, a cartoon character that has become an icon of popular culture in the United States. Additionally, the name Caspar has also been used as a name for films and books, such as the 1995 movie starring Christina Ricci or the novel, Caspar the Commuting Cat.
Overall, the surname Caspar is historically rich and is an important part of many cultures’ traditions. Although it originated as a name from a biblical tale, it has evolved over time to become a popular name choice in many regions.
Order DNA origin analysisCaspar: Where does the name Caspar come from?
The last name Caspar is most commonly found in Germany today. According to data gathered by Forebears in 2017, nearly 50,000 people claimed Caspar as their last name, making it the 329th most common surname overall in Germany.
The last name Caspar has its root in the Latin word "gaspar", which means "master of the treasure", according to Name-Doctor.com. It is believed the last name originated in Germany in the Middle Ages around 1500, when it was used a nickname for a powerful or well-to-do person.
Caspar is still a widely used name in Germany, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also commonly used in other German-speaking regions such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxemburg.
Moving away from Germany, the last name Caspar is also found in other parts of Europe, such as in countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Russia. Its popularity has also spread to the United States, with more than 1,500 Americans listed in the Social Security Death Index claiming Caspar as their last name.
Overall, it is easy to see that the last name Caspar has remained popular in much of Europe, as well as the United States. While its origin may have been in Germany, its reach has since extended far beyond, becoming one of the most common surnames of Germanic origin.
Variations of the surname Caspar
The surname Caspar has a range of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname include Gaspar, Kasparek, Kasparec, and Gasparek. Caspar can also be spelled with a K - Kaspar. This spelling is particularly common in Austro-Bavarian communities. Caspar can also be spelled with a C - Caspars. This is used more commonly in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Surnames of the same origin as Caspar include Gaspard, Gasper, Gaspers, Gasparis, Casparec, Cassar, Casper, Caspari, and Caspary. Some of these surnames are more common in certain countries or regions. For example, the variants Gaspard and Gasper are more commonly seen in France, while the variant Caspary is more commonly seen in Germany.
The origin of the name Caspar is believed to come from the Persian “Kaspar,” which, when translated to English, means “treasurer.” It was a popular name among royalty and nobility because of its association with wealth and power.
Throughout its long history, the surname Caspar has continued to be distributed around the world through migration and emigration. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are also being used by people in many different countries today.
Famous people with the name Caspar
- David Caspar Friedrich, German Romantic landscape painter (1774-1840)
- Sigmund Caspar, Austrian Court Painter and Art Historian (1843-1925)
- Joy Caspar, Belgian diplomat and former commodities expert (born 1930)
- Christoph Caspar von Friedeburg, German mathematician and philosopher (1616-1683)
- Caspar van Aecken, Dutch painter and printmaker (1621-1679)
- Caspar Netscher, Dutch portrait and genre painter (1639-1684)
- Virginie Manifacier Caspar-Philidor, French cellist, composer, and musicologist (1725-1795)
- Johann Adolph Caspari, Norwegian theologian (1773-1823)
- Karl Caspar, German zoologist and naturalist (1776-1853)
- Johan Jacob Caspar, Dutch poet (1771-1836)
- Richard Caspar Wordsworth, British geographer, soldier, and diplomat (1778-1842)
- Ferdinand Caspar, German composer and writer (1792-1845)
- Ben Caspar, Dutch composer (1929-2007)
- Karl Alexander Caspar, German physician and writer (1804-1889)
- Günther Caspar, German painter and illustrator (1879-1954)
- Bridgit Ward Caspar, British television writer, producer, and director (born 1960)
- Andy Caspar, American illustrator and cartoonist (born 1965)
- Lisa Caspar, American actress (born 1994)
- Kate Caspar, American actress (born 1995)
- Noah Caspar, American actor (born 1996)