Surname Alsip - Meaning and Origin
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Alsip: What does the surname Alsip mean?
The last name Alsip is derived from a French surname and was much more common in France than in the United States. It originated from the Old French phrase, al sipe meaning 'at the willow,' or the plural form al sep meaning 'at the willows.' The name eventually spread to England and the United States as a result of the Norman Conquest, but its popularity elsewhere was probably due to post-medieval immigration.
The name is not particularly common in the United States, especially compared to France, where it is still quite popular. It is still found, however, in large numbers in several areas of the country, such as the upper midwest and parts of the south.
People who share this surname often have similar stories and traditions that go back to the name's origin in France. One folktale passed down through generations is that legend claims that the Alsip's were once a noble family with a coat of arms featuring a figure holding a willow branch.
The surname also indicates a shared fondness for the outdoors and the natural world, implying that those bearing the name are likely to have a strong connection to nature. This is fitting, given the interpretation of the name derives from willow trees.
Ultimately, the Alsip surname is unique in its origin and meaning. It carries with it a long and varied history, from early days in France to its prevalence in the United States. For those bearing the name, it stands as a reminder that their ancestors believed in a strong connection to the natural world, and that as a family, they are united by a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
Order DNA origin analysisAlsip: Where does the name Alsip come from?
The surname Alsip is fairly uncommon today. It originated in England in the late 1500s and made its way to the United States in the 1700s. It is primarily found along the East Coast, from New York to Virginia, and in the Midwest, specifically in Indiana and Illinois.
The largest concentrations of Alsip families in the United States are found in the states of Indiana and Ohio. According to the Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, Indiana had the highest number of arrivals of Alsips from the United Kingdom in 2002. In the Midwest, Alsip is particularly popular in the area of northern Indiana and southern Michigan, including the cities of Elkhart, South Bend, and Mishawaka.
Elsewhere in the United States, Alsips can be found mainly in 39 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The majority are concentrated in the East Coast. It is especially well-represented in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which both ranked in the top 5 for Alsip residents in the 2019 American Community Survey.
The origin of the Alsip surname is somewhat unknown, but recent research has suggested it could be derived from the Old English words al and sip, meaning "elf and sheep." As such, the name could be an occupational surname dating back to pre-medieval England, when shepherds would herd sheep.
Today the Alsip surname is still relatively rare, but it does have some pockets of concentration across its area of origin in the US. It is an interesting name with likely Anglo-Saxon roots.
Variations of the surname Alsip
The surname Alsip can have many different spellings and variants, based on how it has evolved over time. For instance, Alsip may become Alsope, Alsep, Alsup, Alsepp, Elsip, and other similar variant spellings. The surnames Alesop, Alesi, Alzob, Alzobbe, Alysop, Alesippe, Elcepp, Alsepe, Alsibbe, Alceppe, and Alcep are also of the same origin.
The surnames that originate from the same source as Alsip are sometimes found in different parts of the world. For instance, the surname Alsop is not uncommon in England and America; Elsip is sometimes found in France; Alesop might appear in Italy; Alsep in Austria; and Elcepp can be found in Germany. Over the centuries, some of these surnames have crossed borders and become more scattered.
In addition to the different variants and spellings, some surnames that have the same origin as Alsip are also slightly changed, such as Alcepp becoming Alceppe or Alsop becoming Alsup. This is due to phonetic changes that occur naturally over time or regional or country-specific customs.
No matter how the spelling or pronunciation has changed over the years, all of the surnames that have the same origin as Alsip are linked to a single family. This shows just how powerful family ties can be and how closely many families are linked, even over centuries and across distances.
Famous people with the name Alsip
- Kevin Alsip: American former college football coach and a former American football defensive end.
- Oscar Alsip: One of the first authors to write stories in the Western fiction genre.
- Jerry Alsip: American paralympic fencer who competed in wheelchair fencing.
- Fred Alsip: Former American Major League Baseball player.
- Jared Alsip: American award-winning music producer and composer.
- Emmet Alsip: Former Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Elisha Alsip: American soldier who served during the American Revolution.
- John R. Alsip: American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006.
- Jack Alsip: Former American racecar driver who competed in NASCAR's Grand National Series.
- Wayne Alsip: Award-winning American photographer, educator, and author.