Surname Bumpass - Meaning and Origin

Bumpass: What does the surname Bumpass mean?

Bumpass is a unique surname that seems to have English origins. However, its exact meaning isn't clearly defined in available historical or genealogical records. Surnames typically denote occupations, geographic locations, or descriptors back in medieval times. Given this, theorists suggest that "Bumpass" might have morphed from a geographical term or an occupational name. It could possibly be linked to the French term "Bon Pas," meaning "good step", which would be contextually relevant for a messenger or a courier. Despite the speculations, without definitive historical context, the exact meaning remains uncertain. It's noteworthy to mention actor and voice-over artist Rodger Bumpass, best known for voicing Squidward Tentacles in the popular television series "SpongeBob SquarePants," who carries this surname.

Bumpass: Where does the name Bumpass come from?

The surname Bumpass is believed to be of either English or French origin. In the English context, it might be derived from a nickname or occupational name for a courier, which originated from the Middle English words "bump" or "bumpa," a term used to describe the action of hitting or striking. Alternatively, some sources suggest French roots, possibly from a place name in Normandy.

Today, the surname Bumpass is prevalent in the United States, particularly in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. One institute that utilizes surname distributions shows modest clusters in these regions. However, it remains a relatively uncommon surname on a global scale. Census data reveals that there were only about 900 individuals with the Bumpass surname in the United States in 2000, further illustrating its rarity. Famous individuals with this last name include Rodger Bumpass, an American actor, and Larry Bumpass, a notable sociologist.

Variations of the surname Bumpass

"Bumpass" is a unique surname that originates from England. It gained popularity in the United States during the migration period. Despite its relative uniqueness, there are still some viable variant surname spellings. These include: Bumpas, Bumpus, Bumpuss, Bumpasse, Bumpassea, and Bumpasses.

Some variants of this surname are created through phonetic and regional spelling modifications, common in historical recordkeeping. It's worth noting that many surnames were often documented as they sounded, leading to multiple spellings for the same name.

The surname Bumpass is believed to come from a location name in England, likely meaning something like "sandy passage," from the old English ‘bumbel’ meaning sandy, and ‘pass’ - an archaic word for passage.

Furthermore, variations could also be traced back to the French "Bon Pas" which signifies "good step." Immigration and Anglicization could have morphed it into Bumpass.

Also note, slight variations might exist due to cultural differences, dialects, and regional preferences, especially in nicknames or pet names derived from the surname Bumpass. Thus, these spellings can all potentially trace back to a common ancestral surname.

Famous people with the name Bumpass

• Larry Bumpass: Larry is an American social demographer, best known for his research on family patterns around the world. He is a professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Virginia Bumpass: Virginia was an American actress. She appeared in numerous films in the early 1930s and 1940s. Some of her credits include Gone with the Wind, The Women, and Tarzan Escapes.
• Don Bumpass: Don is an American voice-over artist, best known for ably assuming numerous voices in various roles on shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, Rugrats, and The Ren & Stimpy Show.
• Roy Bumpass: Roy was an American radio announcer. Through his radio career, Roy was the announcer for the NBC network in the early and later 1940s.
• Alda Bumpass: Alda was an American lyric writer of popular songs. She is best remembered for writing such hits as “That’s All”, “Missed a Little Love”, and “Ain’t We Having Fun”.
• Maxell Bumpass: Maxell was an American tennis player who competed in the 1930s. He is most remembered for being a semi-finalist at the 1933 US National Championships and the 1936 US Indoor Championships.

Other surnames

Bumpas