Surname Houpert - Meaning and Origin

Houpert: What does the surname Houpert mean?

The last name Houpert is an old French surname, derived from the French word 'huppe' or 'huppeau', meaning a large bird, especially a kind of hawk or kite. Historically, this name was originally given to someone who worked with, or had affinity with, these specific types of birds. This could have been through falconry, hunting or in some other capacity.

The name Houpert therefore has had a prestigious reputation since medieval times, when falconry was a popular pastime among the nobility. Such a past gives the name a certain air of distinction, as it was historically associated with wealth and privilege.

The spread of the Houpert surname is thought to have occurred mainly in the central and eastern regions of France. There is also evidence of the name in areas of Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. Variations in the spelling of the name have occurred, but these have mainly been changes from the original French spelling of "Houpert" to the German forms of "Haupert" or "Hovel".

To this day, the Houpert surname can be found in various parts of France, as well as in the countries of Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. It is also possible to find surnames which were derived from it, such as Houphouet or Houphet.

Houpert: Where does the name Houpert come from?

The last name Houpert is most often found in the central and western part of France today. The name is most common in the regions of Normandy, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, as well as the larger cities of Paris and Lyon. These areas boast the largest populations of Houperts. It is believed that Houperts originally came from Normandy, and were part of the Normans conquest in the Middle Ages.

In the New World, Houpert is most common in Louisiana. Many of the Houpert families settled in south Louisiana when the Spanish first colonized that area during the 1700s. Records indicate that many of the Houperts who emigrated to Louisiana were descendants of the original French settlers.

It is also believed that some Houperts can claim ties to Germany, due to them migrating from Alsace-Lorraine, which is now part of France, but was formerly divided between Germany and France during different historical periods. Many of the Houperts who moved to Germany likely changed their last name to something more Germanic, leading to a decrease in the number of Houpert families found in Germany today.

Although the Houpert name is less common in other countries around the world, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, there have been more recent migrations of Houperts in those areas. The majority of Houperts living in the United Kingdom today are believed to have moved there in the 1950s and 1960s. However, many of these families may not have preserved the Houpert surname, which likely explains why it is less common in those countries.

Variations of the surname Houpert

The surname Houpert has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, depending on which language you are looking at.

In France, variants and spellings include Houper, Hooper, Houppe, Hoppe, and Houpe. In Germany, variants can include Hubert and Huber, with also Huibert and Huiber. In Holland, variants and spellings include Huiber, Houper, Huijper, Hoopper, and Hooper. In England, additional variants and spellings include Huber, Hubert, Embrey, and Humphreys.

Variations are due to the many language dialects, just between English and French alone. Language influences of the past have played a major role in the evolution of the surnames spelling. Common factors which caused surname variations were the lack of standard spelling in the past and the fact that common people coould not write for themselves. Therefore the local clergyman would record details of births, deaths and marriages and he may have been unfamiliar with the regular and correct spelling of a particular surname.

In some cases, the surname was combined with the name of the locality where the person lived, producing surnames like Hooper of London or Hooper of Devon. In other cases, it was combined with a nickname or descriptive word, such as Hooper Foster.

As for surnames of the same origin, other names include Harper, Hopper, Heppner, Hürper, Herber, Huber, and Hoover.

Famous people with the name Houpert

• Donovan Houpert: American professional basketball player in Liga de las Americas.
• Elson Houpert: Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League.
• Pierre Houpert: 19th century French writer and early anarchist.
• Kristina Houpert: American triathlete, cyclist and runner ranked number one in the world for the 70.3 distance.
• Geneviève Houpert: Canadian gold medalist in artistic gymnastics.
• Édouard Houpert: French music publisher and songwriter famous for his ballads.
• Kelly Houpert: American country music singer and songwriter best known for his single "Gettin' Out".
• Françoise Houpert: French actress and singer, best known for her lead role in the television program "Scène Blanche".
• Ira Houpert: American architect known for his work in bridge and swing bridge design.
• Thierry Houpert: French journalist and television host.

Other surnames

Houpe