Surname Gaspar - Meaning and Origin

Gaspar: What does the surname Gaspar mean?

The last name Gaspar is of Spanish or Portuguese origin. It is derived from the name Gaspáro, which is derived from the Middle Persian word Gaspard, which means “keeper of the treasure”.

The last name is more commonly found among the Sephardic Jews of Spain, who adopted it after their expulsion in the late 15th century. The name can also be found in Portugal, where it spread from Spanish refugees, as well as in France, which was an important center of Jewish migration at the time.

Gaspar may be the Jewish version of the Christian name Caspar and is also a variant of Gaspard or “treasure-keeper”. It can also be seen as a variation of the Latin Gasparus, which means treasurer.

The name Gaspar can be found in records throughout Europe, including those of 13th century Italian families. The first recorded spelling of the family name was Gaspari, which appeared in records of Genoa in 1245.

Gaspar is a name that may evoke thoughts of a deep history that spanning across many lands and cultures. It is believed that its roots are steeped in a combination of French, Hebrew, Italian, Persian, Portuguese and Spanish history, though its meanings remain largely unclear.

Gaspar: Where does the name Gaspar come from?

The last name Gaspar is most often found in countries where Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan are spoken, such as Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. It is also very common in parts of Latin America where Spanish was once an official language, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, and Uruguay. The surname is also common in some areas of the United States, Canada, and many other countries throughout the world where people of Latin American heritage have settled.

In Spain, it’s believed that the Gaelic-Spanish last name of Gaspar originated from the name of the pagan god, Gaspar. This was Latinized to Casparus. Gaspar was originally a title given to leaders and generals in the Visigothic kingdom, and eventually became a hereditary name. According to Spanish historians, Gaspar de Enriquez was the first known person of the Gaspar surname in history. It is believed to be a variant of Gaspar, a form of the Hebrew name Gasa meaning “treasure”.

Today, Gaspar is a surname that is easily recognizable. It's common in all Spanish-speaking countries and is now found in many parts of the world. While it’s not as widely found in areas of the United States as other common Hispanic surnames, it is still present in some places. Gaspar is a strong and unique last name that is likely here to stay.

Variations of the surname Gaspar

The surname Gaspar is a variation of the Spanish and Portuguese personal name Gaspar. It likely originates from the Persian "gaspard" meaning "treasurer", and may also be derived from the same root as the name "Jasper".

The surname Gaspar can be spelled or pronounced in a number of ways. Common variants are Gaspard, Gaspard, Gasparro, Gaspár, Gaspare, Caspar, Kaspar, Casper and Kasper.

The Gaspar name has been carried to numerous other countries and has evolved into numerous spellings, both in the given name as well as the surname. Many of these spellings are still found in countries all over the world, including the United States. Some of the more common variations of the surname Gaspar are Gaspard, Gaspar, Gaspardin, Gasparini, Gaspardino, Gasparro, Gaspár, Gaspare, Caspar, Kaspar, Casper and Kasper.

The Gaspar surname is also found among Italian families, normally in a variation such as Gasparelli, Gasparetto, Gasparella or Gasparella. There are also a number of German and Swiss variants, such as Gasper or an anglicized version Gasperin, originating primarily from Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

This variation of the surname has often been carried to other countries as immigrations took place in the 1800s. Variations of the name are found in France, Pascon in Catalan, Gaspard in Alsace, Gasparski in Poland, Gaspardides in Greece and lastly, the Turkish spelling of Kaspar or Kasimier.

Famous people with the name Gaspar

• Akonawi Gaspar: Akonawi, originally from a remote village in the Brazilian Amazon, is a renowned artist specializing in modern Indigenous Amazonian art.
• Mário Soares Gaspar: A former professional footballer, Mário is a decorated athlete who has played for several clubs in the Portuguese leagues.
• Anthony Gaspar: Anthony had a rocky path into the entertainment world, but subsequently found success as an up-and-coming writer.
• Gonçalves Gaspar: This Portuguese painter has garnered recognition for his abstract works of art that explore themes of identity, memory, and nostalgia.
• Tadeu Gaspar: A renowned director, Tadeu has made several films that capture the complex dynamics of Brazilian culture.
• Larissa Gaspar: An award-winning producer, Larissa is noted for her contributions in developing televised content that focuses on racial and social justice.
• Élio Gaspar: A talented Portuguese sculptor, Élio has created several monumental pieces that have been placed in prominent locations throughout the country.
• Miguel Gaspar: This Brazilian actor is well-known for his various roles on television and the movie screen.
• Isaura Gaspar: Isaura is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter whose passionate lyrics and beautiful voice have captivated audiences worldwide.
• Carmen Gaspar: An accomplished journalist, Carmen has won multiple awards for her investigative pieces on human rights issues in the Latinx community.

Other surnames

GaspardGaspariGaspary