Surname Cupar - Meaning and Origin
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Cupar: What does the surname Cupar mean?
The last name Cupar is an anglicized version of the Scottish name McCooper. This surname originated in the Highlands of Scotland but primarily in the Dumfries and Galloway region in the southwest. It is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic names Mac an Opir, MacComper, or MacCooper, which likely indicated a family relationship with Cooper or Cooperate. This name may have come from a family of coopers, a traditional occupation in the area. Coopers were skilled at making, repairing, and maintaining wooden barrels and other agricultural containers. In addition, the name Cupar is also the Anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic surname Cubbard, which meant 'love' or 'affection'. This family was prominent in the Ayrshire and Renfrewshire region, and may have originated there.
The Cupar surname has since spread throughout the world and is now found in many places, including the US, Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe. Members of this family have contributed to a variety of areas, including music, art, politics, and other areas. This last name will likely continue to be spread globally, with many seeking to trace its origins and discover their ancestral history.
Order DNA origin analysisCupar: Where does the name Cupar come from?
The surname Cupar is most commonly found in two countries today — Scotland and Canada.
In Scotland, Cupar is still one of the most common surnames in the area of Fife, where it is believed to have first appeared five centuries ago. According to records from the General Register Office, more than 843 people still carry the Cupar last name.
In Canada, Cupar is still a common last name and has been since the 18th century when some Scots emigrated and settled down. Many Cupars reside in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, although the numbers in each province vary.
The Cupar name is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Most people that have this surname likely have common Scottish heritage. It is believed that the original meaning of the name was either “son of Cupar” or “of the seashore”.
The Cupar surname is most common in countries with a high population of Scottish descent. Whether related to a strong historical link to Scotland or simply a shared heritage, the legacy of the Cupar name is still alive and well today.
Variations of the surname Cupar
The surname Cupar is derived from the town of Cupar in Fife, Scotland. Cupar is also an anglicization of the Gaelic ‘Ceathar’ meaning ‘bishop’. It is also sometimes seen spelt as 'Cooper', 'Couper' and 'Cupper'.
Variants include MacCupar, MacCouper, Coapes and Coupers. Surnames which are of the same origin include MacCoe, MacKipe, MacKip, McCreath and McCrosty. MacCuper has also been documented as originating in the Southern Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
MacKipe, MacKip, and MacCouper may be derived from an old Scottish first name ‘Kipp’. McCreath, a form of the surname, is derived from the Gaelic ‘McCraith’ meaning ‘priest’. It is also sometimes spelt as ‘McCready’ or ‘McCrae’.
The Cupar surname is found in Scotland, Ireland, Australia, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. It is also found in other parts of the British Isles, such as Cornwall, England.
In the United States, Cupar is the 9,050th most common surname. The surname is quite rare in the US in comparison with other countries. In Scotland, it is the 888th most common surname and in Ireland it is the 3,951st most common surname.
Variants and spellings of the surname Cupar include Coapers, Cupers, Coopers, Coupers, and Cupar. The surname may also have evolved from the old Gaelic forenames Cuthbert and Cudric or from the Gaelic ‘ceathar’ meaning ‘bishop’ and ‘connacht’ meaning ‘strength’.
Famous people with the name Cupar
- Henrik Cupar: a Finnish professional football player.
- Shane Cupar: an American former professional wrestler and martial artist.
- David Cupar: a United States Army lieutenant general who served as deputy chief of staff for intelligence in the United States Army.
- Stephen Cupar: an American former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.
- Thomas Cupar: a Hungarian-born American soccer player.
- John Cupar: an American former National Football League player who played as a running back for the Dallas Cowboys.
- Oliver Cupar: a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Championship.
- Deborah Cupar: an American visual artist and sculptor.
- David Cupar-Heaker: an American television and film director and producer.
- John Cupar-Heaker: an American screenwriter and film producer.