Surname Soaper - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Soaper: What does the surname Soaper mean?
The surname Soaper is of English origin and it is an occupational surname. The term "Soaper" would have been initially used to refer to a person who makes or sells soap, deriving from the Middle English term "sop", meaning soap. During the Middle Ages, when surnames began to be used, people often took their occupations or the occupations of their ancestors as their last names. Therefore, a person named Soaper would have been, or would have been descended from, a soap maker or seller. This surname falls into the category of metonymic occupational surnames, which are derived from the principal object associated with a particular occupation. It is not a particularly common surname and variations in the spelling of the surname throughout history include Soaper, Soper, and Sopper. While it is mostly found in English-speaking countries today, like many surnames, it may also be found in different spellings and pronunciations in various countries due to migration and naturalization processes.
Order DNA origin analysisSoaper: Where does the name Soaper come from?
The surname Soaper is of German and Jewish origin, and is still found in both Germany and Israel, as well as in other countries that have significant German or Jewish populations. In the United States, the last name is most commonly found in the Midwest, particularly in Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. Research suggests that the largest concentrations are in Nebraska, with Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York also having high numbers of individuals with the surname.
In Germany, the surname Soaper is found widely throughout the country, with high concentrations in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Jews of German descent settling in Israel have kept the last name, and it is particularly common in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
A few interesting historical figures have been found to have the surname Soaper. One notable example is Joseph Soaper, a German Jewish immigrant to New York in the late 19th century. Joseph went on to become a very successful businessman, and was instrumental to many of the companies he was involved with.
Given its German or Jewish origin, the surname Soaper is not particularly common today. However, it can still be found scattered around the world, from the United States and Germany, to Israel and other countries with significant Jewish or German populations.
Variations of the surname Soaper
The surname Soaper has a few variants, spellings, and related surnames.
The most common variant of the surname Soaper is Soper. Other variants include Soaper, Sopar, Soppar, Soppear, Soppard, Soppur, Topper, and Toper. These can also be found with a variety of spelling variations, including Soaper, Soaperr, Sopera, Sopeer, Soperr, Sopparr, Soppea, Soppearr, Sopper, Soppera, Sopperr, Soppier, Soppyer, Toparr, and Topperr.
The origins of Soaper can be traced to the Old English word sopere, which means master of crops or overseer. This led to the surname originating in various locations around England. It is possible that people who held various positions in farming and related occupations may have adopted this surname.
Related surnames to Soaper include Sopwith, Somes, Soppitt, and Sorrell. Somes is related to Soaper through the Soper family which originated in Laycock, Wiltshire. Sorrell is thought to have originated in Suffolk, England and is derived from a personal name, ‘Sawal’.
Finally, Sopwith could be related to Soaper although it is thought to have originated from the nickname for someone who dipped their mouth in sops.
Regardless of its origin, it is clear that the surname Soaper has a variety of different variants, spellings, and related surnames.
Famous people with the name Soaper
- Freema Agyeman: English actress best known for her roles on Doctor Who and The Carrie Diaries
- Steve Soaper: Former head coach of the University of Alaska Anchorage hockey team
- Bentley Soaper: Famous musician from New York City
- Jerome Soaper: Actor best known for his performance in the movie “Sixty Six”
- Anastasia Soaper: International fashion model from Russia
- Dagmar Soaper: German-American actress, founder of a talent agency, and author of several books
- Gabriella Soaper: British actress well-known for her roles on Midsomer Murders and Being Human
- Baxter Soaper: Professional skier and president of the U.S Ski and Snowboard Association
- Hippolyte Soaper: French composer and organist
- Lilla Soaper: Swedish dancer and choreographer, well-known for her work with the Royal Swedish Ballet