Surname Espeter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Espeter: What does the surname Espeter mean?
The last name Espeter is derived from the German word 'Speter' meaning Peter. The surname was likely first used by people who were named after Saint Peter or had a connection to him in some way. It is likely that Espeter is found among the Jewish communities, originating from the German-speaking countries, such as Ashkenazi Jews who settled in Eastern Europe over the centuries.
In the past, people who carried the Espeter surname might have held occupations such as tailoring, stone masonry, carpentry or other trades requiring manual skill. As well as this, it is likely that some people of the Espeter name sold textiles and other goods as peddlers or merchants.
Today, the Espeter name is still found mainly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in the former emigrant destinations of the United States, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay and South Africa.
The Espeter name is a reminder of our European roots, a connection to the past and an unmistakable part of our genealogical history. It is an example of how families and cultures of different generations experienced different challenges and responded in innovative ways to create a better life for themselves and their descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisEspeter: Where does the name Espeter come from?
The last name Espeter is most commonly found among people in the Netherlands and other parts of northern Europe. It originally emerged as a patronymic, or surname derived from a given name, with its roots traceable to the Latin phrase "Esso Petrus" meaning "Of St. Peter," in reference to the Christian Saint Peter.
Perhaps due to its connection to the Christian faith, the surname Espeter spread across Europe and was used by prominent figures. In the Netherlands, the surnames Espeter and Esphater were used by a series of upper class families in the 17th century and it appears that several of these lineages have been surviving today with the name Espeter still in use.
In the Netherlands, the Espeter name is most popular at the moment in provincial towns such as Zeelt, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, Nord-Holland, Gelderland, and Utrecht. The surname is also found in Germany, the UK, the United States, and Canada, with a significantly greater concentration in cities and towns such as Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Toronto.
In the United States, the surname Espeter is most likely an immigrant surname, appearing in the 1910 census with a population of 109 individuals in the United States. The Tuttle and Lucien are two of the more common derivatives of the Espeter surname in the United States. Having said that, Espeter is still seen in some areas of the US, especially among Dutch immigrants.
In summary, the last name Espeter is most common in the Netherlands, as well as in areas with a large Dutch or German population in Northern Europe. In the US, the Espeter surname is not as widely found, but it is still seen in some areas.
Variations of the surname Espeter
The surname Espeter is of Spanish, Catalan, and Spanish-Jewish origin. It is derived from the Latin family name Spethar or Spetar, which means spectator. It is found in several forms such as Esperter, Espeter, Spethar, Espiter, Speiter, Speeter, Spiter, and Spiteri.
In Catalonia, the surname is spelled Especter. The Catalan word especte is derived from the Latin word spectus. The letter 'c' in especte is used instead of the letter 's', which is the usual form of the same Latin word. This is known as the haplology of the c-s or the camento.
In the Spanish-speaking world, the surname often appears as Espiter, Espeta, and Espitera. These are variants of the Catalan form Espeter.
In some regions of Spain, as well as Italy, the surname is often found in the form Spitero or Spler. This variant is derived from the Italian word spettarole, meaning spectator.
In the United States, the surname is often found as Spataro or Speitro. This variant is derived from the Italian prefix spec-.
In France, the surname is often found as Spetar or Spetaire. These variants are derived from the Latin roots spec- and -arium, which were often used to denote spectacle.
In anglicized forms, the surname is sometimes spelled Spitere or Sipeter. These variations are derived from the French words espéter and s'espéter, meaning to look at or to observe.
In more contemporary forms, the surname is sometimes found as Spiter or Spiteri. These variants are derived from the proper spelling of the surname in Catalonia and Spain.
Famous people with the name Espeter
- Astrid Espeter: German actress who has mainly appeared in films since the 1990s.
- Lasse Espeter: former Danish Politician who served as a spokesperson for the Social Democrats from 1999 to 2003.
- Eva Espeter: German television producer and director.
- Henrik Espeter: Chairman of the International Federation of Human Rights.
- Jessica Espeter: Dutch singer and songwriter.
- Thomas Espeter: German journalist and editor.
- Tim Espeter: Danish comedian and actor.
- Gudrid Espeter: Norwegian author, illustrator and lecturer.
- Cristina Espeter: Spanish professional volleyball player.
- Andrew Espeter: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.