Surname Gaspers - Meaning and Origin

Gaspers: What does the surname Gaspers mean?

The surname Gaspers is an anglicised variation of the Germanic name "Gaspersz." This name was derived from the old Germanic personal name Gaspar, which is composed of two elements: the Proto-Germanic gaz meaning “spear” and the Proto-Germanic baraz meaning “bearing.” The personal name Gaspar was borne by one of the Magi, a sage who visited the infant Jesus and gave the newborn a gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the New Testament.

The Gaspers surname is primarily associated with northern Germany, particularly areas near the Elbe River. One source notes that the name can also be found in Austria and Poland. Individuals bearing the Gaspers surname first established themselves in America during the 17th century, with some of the earliest records found in Pennsylvania and New York.

The surname Gaspers is derived from a name which was originally borne from celebration, as it symbolises one of the Magi who visited Jesus offering gifts. The bearers of the name Gaspers have a long and proud history and have spread throughout Europe and the United States since their earliest known origins in northern Germany.

Gaspers: Where does the name Gaspers come from?

The last name Gaspers is generally thought to be of German origin. It is most commonly found in Germany today, where its highest concentration is in its native state of Lower Saxony. However, it is also found in other German states, and in Austria, where it is not as distributed as in Germany. In recent decades, Gaspers family members have spread out to other parts of Europe. Today, the surname Gaspers is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among, other places, primarily originating from German-speaking immigrants.

Gaspers is one of many German surnames that have been brought to North America and other countries around the world during the past several centuries by immigrants. Given the German roots of the name, the American spelling of the name is relatively uncommon, and most people likely won’t have seen it before. In the U.S., Gaspers is part of a larger population of German-Americans. It is mostly common in the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, with a much smaller presence in other states.

The Gaspers family today is embraced by people from different countries and regions, but most of them all share the same common ancestor and the same proud German heritage. This is reflected in their choice of names, which often reflect their ancestors’ country of origin. Gaspers will continue to be found in many places around the world, both in Germany and in other countries, carrying on the memory of its original German ancestry and legacy.

Variations of the surname Gaspers

The surname Gaspers (also spelled Gaspars, Gaspar, Gaspard, Gaffer, and Gesper) is of Germanic origin. The surname is most likely derived from the personal name "Gaspard," which originated from the Old Germanic name "Gastparht," meaning "guest-bright".

The surname was first recorded in Germany in the twelfth century, and over time the name spread to Poland and other regions and many variations in spelling were established.

In English-speaking countries, the name Gaspers is often spelled with an "s" at the end, while the Polish version of this surname is usually spelled with a "z" instead (Gasperz). The indistinguishable spelling in German and Dutch is "Gasper," and the Russian version of this surname is "Gasparev" and "Gaspirovsky."

The spelling of the name "Gasper" was made popular by Spanish and French immigrants arriving in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period some immigrants chose to alter the spelling of their name to "Gasper" in order to fit in better to their new home.

In addition, as a result of the Nazi occupation of Poland and Belarus during World War II, the name Gaspers may have been changed to "Gesper."

Regardless of how this surname has been spelled over the years, all versions of the Gaspers surname indicate Germanic origin and trace back to the name "Gastparht."

Famous people with the name Gaspers

• Ben Gaspers: Former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Redskins.
• Lorenz Gaspers: German luger who competed from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s.
• Jon Gaspers: American basketball coach who is the current assistant coach for the men's basketball team at the University of Delaware.
• Iben Gaspers: Danish actress who appeared in the romantic comedy Love Is All You Need.
• Jouni Gaspers: Former Paralympic athlete from Finland who competed mainly in category F54 throwing events.
• Paul Gaspers: American professional basketball player who was drafted by the Orlando Magic in the second round of the 1998 NBA draft.
• Sabine Gaspers: German politician and member of the SPD who has been a member of the Bundestag since 2005.
• Rob Gaspers: Former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League who played for the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets.
• Bob Gaspers: Former American football offensive tackle who played for the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Denny Gaspers: Former professional boxer who achieved a record of twenty-one wins from eighteen registered fights.

Other surnames

GasperGasperi