Surname Tupper - Meaning and Origin

Tupper: What does the surname Tupper mean?

The surname Tupper originates from the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is derived from the Old English word "tūþpull", which translates to "tooth puller", a word commonly used during the Middle Ages. The name was traditionally given to an individual who worked as a dentist, usually performing tooth extractions. Over time, "tūþpull" became shortened to Tupper. This occupational surname was used to reflect the profession of the original bearer. Therefore, a person named Tupper would essentially mean 'descendant or son of the toothpuller'. Like many surnames from this period, Tupper would have likely originated as a nickname, which eventually became a familial identifier. Over the centuries, this surname spread across England and later to other English-speaking countries. Notable people with the surname include Earl S. Tupper, the American businessman who invented Tupperware.

Tupper: Where does the name Tupper come from?

The last name Tupper is most commonly seen within the United Kingdom and some areas of the United States. The areas in the UK that the name is most common are West Midlands, Wiltshire, the East of England and North Yorkshire.

Within the US, the last name is particularly prevalent in the upper states of the Midwest, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as on the East Coast in areas such as New Jersey, Vermont and Massachusetts.

The surname originated in medieval England and Scotland and is most often associated with areas of Devon, Bristol and Somerset. The name is believed to be a diminutive of the old English word 'tupp' which means top or uppermost.

The surname is also commonly used in Australia and Canada. It has spread from its more traditional base in the UK and US to countries such as France, Germany, Denmark and Portugal, though the frequency of the name in these places is much lower than that of the UK and US.

In recent years, the Tupper surname has undergone a number of spelling variations, including Tuppper, Tuppera, Tuppur and Tuppero. This is more likely to be seen in countries where the surname has recently spread.

Variations of the surname Tupper

Tupper is a surname derived from the Old English word “tupere,” meaning “maker of earthenware.” There are many variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the Tupper surname, indicating multiple different etymological origins. Some of the most common variations of Tupper include Tupperware, Toberer, Topperer, Tupperman, Tupperfield, Tubery, Tuper, Tubur, Tubar, Tubbes, Tubbe, Tupperline, Tuppin, Tuppen, Tope, Toping, Topham, and Tapin. Some surnames that share the same etymology as Tupper are Tulley, Toply, Tuigh, Teuber, and Toger.

The Tupper surname is found throughout the English speaking world, from England to the United States. It is especially prevalent in the United States, with the highest concentrations found in the states of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. The surname also has connections to respective Gaelic and Germanic roots in Scotland and Ireland. The Gaelic surnames MacToba and MacTobair can be derived from the Gaelic root “tóibín,” meaning “tiny.” The Germanic surnames Topp and Toppen can be derived from the term “topf” meaning “pot,” linking them to the same etymology as Tupper.

The Tupper surname is incredibly varied and complex, indicating multiple different etymological and geographic origins and histories. Its variations, spellings, and cognates offer countless possibilities for research and further exploration into the histories and backgrounds of individuals with the Tupper surname.

Famous people with the name Tupper

• Merle Tupper, NASCAR driver
• Kenneth Tupper, Canadian diplomat
• William Tupper, Canadian politician
• Alice Tupper May, American painter
• Mark Tupper, American radio personality
• Charles Tupper, Prime Minister of Canada
• Dr. Tupper Brown, American doctor, physician, and professor
• Dr. Mary E. Tupper Brown, American professor, surgeon, and author
• Thomas Tupper, Canadian militia commander
• David Tupper, American songwriter
• Joseph Tupper, American businessman
• Jane Tupper, American ambassador and politician
• Sir Francis Tupper, British soldier
• Elizabeth Tupper, African-American educator

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