Surname Jessup - Meaning and Origin

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My iGENEA DNA test journey was a roller-coaster of emotions, fueling me with anticipation and curiosity, and leading me to newfound connections and deepened appreciation for my history and surname, Jessup. Today, I am not just a Jessup; I am every Jessup who ever lived.

V. Jessup

Jessup: What does the surname Jessup mean?

The last name Jessup is of English origin and is derived from the personal name Joseph. The spelling variations of this surname also include Jessop and Jesshope. This name traces back to the early medieval English period, and it became popular due to Saint Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus Christ. Over time, it was further popularized by crusaders who often named their children after biblical figures upon their return from the Holy Land. In Old English, the name is Josa or Josep, which later evolved into Jessup. Therefore, Jessup can be interpreted as "the son of Joseph." The name Joseph itself is of Hebrew origin and means "he will add" or "God will increase." So, the surname Jessup indirectly carries these meanings as well.

Jessup: Where does the name Jessup come from?

The surname Jessup has Anglo-Saxon origins and it first originated in Essex, a county in England. It is essentially a variant of the given name Joseph, which means "May Jehovah add (another son)." This name is believed to have been introduced to England during the Middle Ages.

Although it is not a particularly common surname worldwide, you can find more individuals with the surname Jessup in the United States than any other country. Particularly, it appears to be the most prevalent in California, followed by North Carolina and Florida, according to genealogical records and databases. The name is also present, though less commonly, in England, Canada, and Australia. However, the distribution changes over time, and it varies depending on the particular demographics of a location.

Variations of the surname Jessup

The surname Jessup is derived from the popular personal name Joseph, which has been modified over the centuries and around the world to produce a range of similar surnames. Variants and spellings of Jessup include Jessop, Jesshope, Jessupp, Jesso, and Gesup.

These names may have originally referred to a person named Joseph in a patronymic sense, i.e., "son of Joseph", and could have undergone changes for a variety of reasons, such as regional accents, illiteracy, or immigration. The spelling with 'p' at the end is English influenced, but variations without 'p' at the end are more Scandinavian influenced.

Regarding their geographical distribution, Jessop is more common in Britain, especially in the north of England, while Jessup is more common in the United States. Other variants are found in different proportions around the world.

Another theory to the surname’s origin is it being locational, possibly from a now "lost" medieval village, of which the only reminder in the 20th century is the surname itself. This village is believed to have been in the counties of either Yorkshire or Lincolnshire.

It is also important to note that these variations of surnames often come with their own sub-variants due to phonetic spellings, time, and regional differences.

Famous people with the name Jessup

• Ryan Jessup: Canadian actor, writer, and director, known for his work on Canucks at Heart (2015) and On the Farm (2018).
• Harry Jessup: American politician from Pennsylvania who served in the House of Representatives from 1947 to 1961.
• Dean Jessup: American basketball player for the NCAA's Gonzaga Bulldogs from 2015 to 2019.
• N. R. Jessup: American lawyer who served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin from 1909 to 1911.
• Ann Jessup: American Einstein Hospice Volunteer who was honored with the Einstein Partner in Excellence award in 2008.
• Dan Jessup: Actor, best known for his roles as Sheriff Stroud on Walker, Texas Ranger and the Marshal on The High Chaparral.
• Pat Jessup: American football coach for the University of Texas, where he served as the offensive line coach from 2014 to 2017.
• Frank Jessup: Canadian professional snowboarder, known for his participation in the Canadian National Freestyle Team.
• Anton Jessup: American photographer whose work has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times magazine.
• Will Jessup: English illustrator and graphic designer, best known for creating the cover artwork for the video game Okami.

Other surnames

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