Surname Apgar - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Apgar: What does the surname Apgar mean?
The surname Apgar is of German origin, derived from the phrase "Abt gahr," which means "swift or prepared abbot." It originated from the Middle High German term "abt" for "abbot" and "gare" meaning "ready or swift." Sometimes, it was used as a moniker for a person swift in his work or one prepared for any task assigned. It was an occupational name given to the chief of an abbey or monastery or someone who worked for the abbot. Over time it was skewed in pronunciation as it moved geographically, becoming Apgar. Later this name spread to various parts of the world due to migration. It is most common in the United States and is also associated with the renowned Dr. Virginia Apgar who developed the Apgar Score system to evaluate newborn babies' health.
Order DNA origin analysisApgar: Where does the name Apgar come from?
The surname Apgar is of German origin, derived from the German words "ab" meaning off, away, from and "gar" meaning ready, prepared. Therefore it can be interpreted to mean 'son of one prepared to go' or 'one who is always ready'. It is a patronymic surname, which means it's based on the name of a male ancestor, and was typically used to acknowledge the firstborn son.
This surname was first found in the region of Hesse in Germany. However, over time, due to migration and other historical events, the surname has spread to other countries. In the United States, the surname Apgar increased in frequency because of a significant influx of people from Germany in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, the surname is prevalent in the United States, and to a lesser degree in Canada. The surname is associated with the famous Dr. Virginia Apgar, known for inventing the Apgar score, a quick method to assess the health of newborn children immediately after birth. To this day, the last name Apgar remains most common among those of German descent and those residing in the United States.
Variations of the surname Apgar
The surname Apgar is believed to be of German origin, likely a variation of names such as "Apfel" (meaning apple) or 'Apkar', with a 'b' in the spelling, was used in ancient Armenian records in the 5th to 15th centuries. However, there's no solid evidence supporting these derivations.
Variations or similar surnames might include Appgar, Appelgart, Appelgardt, and Apfelgart due to phonetic spelling and pronunciation variations. Different regional accents and vernacular could have led to further deviations over time. These are however pure speculations, as there's no certainty of these being directly connected with Apgar.
Surnames with possible indirect connections could be those beginning with 'Ap-' or '-gar' that are Germanic or Armenian in origin.
These include the surnames: Appel, Appenfelder, Garber, and Garnier among others. Please note though, these are only suppositions and without extensive genealogical research it's hard to conclusively identify variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin as 'Apgar'. Furthermore, the surname 'Apgar' is not widely common which makes its derivations much harder to ascertain.
Famous people with the name Apgar
- Virginia Apgar: She is the most famous person with the last name Apgar. An American obstetrical anesthetist, she was the first woman to become a full professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is best known for developing the Apgar Score, a quick method for assessing the health of newborn children immediately after birth.
- Charles Apgar: A lesser-known personality, Charles was an American amateur astronomer and an early radio pioneer who made pivotal contributions to the development of wireless communications in the United States.
- Fred Apgar: A veteran combat pilot of the Vietnam War and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is known for his resilience and bravery during the war and his later influence in local politics in Edmonds, Washington.
- Joan Apgar: She is a know personality in the real estate business with multiple accolade recognitions.
- Herb Apgar: A renowned antique vehicle restoration specialist known for his craftsmanship particularly with Ford Model T and Model A cars. Mostly the Apgar name is known in the medical field because of Virginia Apgar and her invaluable contributions to neonatology.