Surname Pope - Meaning and Origin
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read morePope: What does the surname Pope mean?
The last name "Pope" is of English origin and primarily used in English-speaking countries. The surname has its roots in the Old English term "papa", which is derived from the Latin word of the same meaning, signifying a bishop or patriarch. The term was initially used to refer to the bishops of Rome, who are historically known as the Popes. Eventually, it became a nickname used for individuals who played the role of the Pope in pageants and traditional plays, or for those who displayed a certain sanctity or authority fitting the prestigious position. Sometimes, it may have been used humorously for a pompous or devious person. Over time, the nickname transitioned to become a hereditary surname. Therefore, the last name Pope doesn't necessarily imply a familial relationship to a religious figure or descendant from church ancestry. Instead, it frequently denotes the profession or personality characteristics of one's ancestral figures.
Order DNA origin analysisPope: Where does the name Pope come from?
The last name Pope is a relatively common surname found in many countries around the world. In the United States, it is most frequently found in the South, though it does pop up in other locations as well. Specifically, as of the 2019 census, the states with the most frequent population of Pope as a last name are Arkansas (2,388), Georgia (2,225), Alabama (1,751), Texas (1,581), and North Carolina (1,405).
The name is also relatively common in other English-speaking countries, particularly the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the UK, Pope is most frequently found across the country in the South West, East Anglia, and East Midlands regions. Likewise, in Australia, the highest occurrences of the Pope surname are in the states of Victoria and Queensland.
In many other parts of the world, Pope as a last name is relatively rare but does still exist. In continental Europe, it is most commonly found in Italy and Germany, while in Asia, India is where one is most likely to find a Pope surname. In the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands have the highest Pope population, followed by New Caledonia.
Overall, the last name Pope can be found in a variety of countries and regions around the world, though its frequency tends to vary by location.
Variations of the surname Pope
Pope is a surname of English, Irish, and Germanic origin. Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Pop, Poop, Poep, and Poap.
The English family name Pope is derived from the Old French word "Papier," which was an occupational surname given to someone who was a maker of papier-mache. In Ireland, the Pope surname is derived from the ancient Gaelic name "O'Poba," which is composed of the words "O," meaning "grandson" or "descendant," and "Poba," meaning "humbles." The Irish spelling of the Pope surname is Pop, and variations include Poop and Poap.
The German Pope surname is derived from the name "Pabst," and variants of the name include Poebst, Poebster, and Pebst. The German surname was an occupational surname that referred to a steward or a bailiff.
The Pope surname is also sometimes used as a variant of the name Poff, which is derived from the Germanic name "Pfoph" or "Pfopf," meaning "baker." Variations of the Poff surname include Poff, Poof, Poofeh, and Pipe.
In conclusion, variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Pope include Pop, Poop, Poep, Poap, Pabst, Poebst, Poebster, Pebst, Poff, Poof, Poofeh, and Pipe.
Famous people with the name Pope
- Alexander Pope: Poet and satirist in the 1700s. Most famous for his poem 'The Rape of the Lock'.
- Pope Benedict XVI: Former leader of the Catholic Church, serving from 2005 to 2013.
- Pope Francis: Current leader of the Catholic Church, serving from 2013 onwards and known for his progressive stances on social issues.
- Eugenia Pope: British soap opera actress, best known for her role as Irene Raymond in EastEnders.
- Pope Jolly: Florida-based singer-songwriter whose career spans multiple genres, from country-and-western to hip-hop.
- Pope John Paul II: Leader of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, widely known for the way he transformed church doctrine and brought it closer to modern times.
- Kim Pope: American professional strongman competitor and owner of a functional fitness gym.
- Nicolas Pope: Award-winning British illustrator and author living in London.
- Wilbur F. Pope: American aeronautical engineer and voice actor, best known for his role as Tom in the Hanna-Barbera cartoon The Jetsons.
- Zoe Pope: Professional ice dancer, three-time U.S. National ice dance champion and the 2021 Lithuanian National champion.