Surname Jessop - Meaning and Origin
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Jessop: What does the surname Jessop mean?
The surname Jessop is of English origin and is classified as a patronymic last name, a type of surname that derives from the given name of a person's father or a prominent male ancestor. The name Jessop has its roots in the medieval personal name "Joseph," and translates to “son of Joseph.” Over time, the name evolved phonetically into Jessop. The name Joseph itself has Hebrew origins and means "he will add," in the context of God adding to his health, wealth, or family. Like many surnames, Jessop was used in ancient times to identify a person's lineage or paternal link, especially in situations where there were multiple individuals with the same first name in a community. The surname remains in use today across the world, particularly in English-speaking countries, often without any conscious recognition of its initial association with the name Joseph.
Order DNA origin analysisJessop: Where does the name Jessop come from?
The surname Jessop originates from England, specifically from the Northern and Eastern regions. The name emerges from the medieval male given name Jessop, which is a diminutive of Jesse. Jesse is an Old Testament name, that of the father of King David. Thus, Jessop is of biblical origin and was widely used during the Middle Ages due to its religious connotations.
The surname was first documented in the 13th century in Yorkshire, following the Norman Conquest. Therefore, it has a long history in England. Initially, it was a patronymic name, with the early forms often appearing as "Jessop's son".
Today, Jessop is not a particularly widespread surname, but it still found predominantly in England, particularly in the Yorkshire area. Additionally, due to emigration, it has spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia where it is found in moderate numbers. Over the years, some branches of the Jessop family have also immigrated to South Africa. It is not among the most common last names in any of these countries, but it is most often found in its home country, England.
Variations of the surname Jessop
The surname Jessop has several variations and spellings, some of which may have originated from the same or similar sources. These include Jesop, Jessup, Jessopp, Jesshope, Jessoppe, and Jessep.
The surname Jessop is believed to originate from the Hebrew personal name Joseph, meaning "Jehovah has added (a son)". It's supposed that it was brought to England by returning crusaders and pilgrims from the Holy Land in the 12th century and became one of the many such names to be 'converted' to surnames.
Jessop is also a popular surname in Ireland, where it was brought by British settlers and has been in use since the late medieval period. Here, it again could have derived from the name Joseph, or from the Gaelic "Mac Iosa", meaning "son of Jesus".
There are also several associated surnames, borne from regional and dialect differences, time, and the occasional misspelling. These include Jesshope, Jessip, Jessape, Jessipy, and Jessoop. The use and popularity of each variant tends to be geographically dispersed.
Famous people with the name Jessop
- Anita Jessop: British Paralympic athlete and activist
- Dalton Jessop: Los Angeles-based lifestyle and wedding photographer
- Don Jessop: American director, producer, and actor
- Helga Jessop: Founding director of the International Foundation for Gender Education
- Joseph Jessop: English composer and organist
- João Celestino da Costa Jessop: Portuguese diplomat and human rights activist
- Lloyd Jessop: Australian former politician and member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council
- Martha Jessop: Sister-in-law of Arizona-based polygamist leader Warren Jeffs
- Peter Jessop: British actor best known for his recurring roles in “Doctor Who” and “Coronation Street”
- Richard Jessop: British businessman and entrepreneur. Founder of Paddy Power and Charterhouse Capital.