Surname Vosper - Meaning and Origin

Vosper: What does the surname Vosper mean?

The surname Vosper is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it emerged in the southwestern counties of England, most notably Devon. The earliest instances of this surname can be traced back to the medieval period in this region. It is thought to be a geographic surname derived from a place name - possibly derived from places like East Worlington, North Tawton, or the ancient farmstead "Vospark." Some also believe it may mean someone from 'Fosse Park' derived from its Anglo-Saxon meaning. Surnames that were based on place names typically indicated where the original bearer lived or held land.

Due to migration and emigration, the surname spread to other English-speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Today, it is found in many countries around the world. Like many surnames, variations in the spelling of Vosper can be found, including Vospa, Vosper, and Vospar. Despite its many forms and widespread distribution, Vosper remains a relatively rare surname.

Vosper: Where does the name Vosper come from?

The surname Vosper is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is thought to derive from the Old English personal name Vossa, a diminutive 'Vos' which is itself from the Old English voer 'vixen'. The name was likely used to describe someone who was “like a fox in cunning” or simply as a nickname.

The surname first appears in the English county of Cornwall in the mid-17th century and most bearers of the surname there today descend from a single family.

The surname is less common in other parts of England, though there are still bearers to be found in the midlands and along the south coast. Small numbers can be found in countries across the world where British people emigrated in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

In the United States, Vosper is primarily found in Pennsylvania and New York. The highest concentrations of the surname are in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio, where there are fewer people of British descent.

The surname is also common in South Africa, where there has been a large British emigration since the 18th century. Other countries where Vosper is found include the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, and Argentina.

The surname Vosper is, therefore, found widely dispersed, though most of its bearers are of British descent. People of this surname tend to be of a strong and independent nature and enjoy the challenges of life.

Variations of the surname Vosper

The surname Vosper is an ancient English name of Anglo-Saxon origin. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, include Vosburg, Vosbery, Vosborne, Vause, Voas, Vass, Vouce, Vurchase, Vosburn, Voase, Vowse, and Vosburgh.

Vosper originated from the pre 7th century word 'de Vospe' which is of Norman-French origin, although the spelling changed over time as various scribes recorded the name. Vosper is thought to denote a person from 'Vospere', which was a place in Normandy, France. The place name was recorded as 'Vosiere' in the 'Cartulary of the Abbey of Bec' in 1150.

Vosburgh was also a variant of the Vosper name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'burg' meaning hill, and it is likely that this variant of the Vosper surname was a habitational name acquired by someone who lived near a hill, with the more specific spelling deriving from a particular hill.

The different spellings of the name over the centuries could be attributed to language and dialects, as well as to locational differences. This was when a person lived far away from the source when the spelling of their surname changed as people became more inventive in developing their surnames. Even today, it is not uncommon to find various spellings of the same name and surname.

Famous people with the name Vosper

• Stan Vosper: A Canadian actor, known for his roles in “The Incredible Hulk” (1978) and “Revenge of the Pink Panther” (1978).
• Nick Vosper: An Australian actor, known for his roles in “Neighbours” (1985), “The Commission” (1995), and “Blue Heelers” (2001).
• Edward Vosper: An English architect, known for designing the Leicester Square Theatre in London.
• Stephen Vosper: An American journalist, editor, and writer, known for his work in The Huffington Post and The Washington Post.
• Peter Vosper: A British biochemist and virologist with a focus on genetic engineering, particularly the molecular biology of plant viruses.
• Albert Vosper: An English painter and sculptor, known as an associate of the Bloomsbury Group.
• Suzanne Vosper: An English artist who focuses primarily on painting and printmaking, known for her large-scale abstract landscapes.
• Henry Vosper: A British banker who served as a director of the Bank of England from 1970 to 1980.
• Gary Vosper: An American comedy writer and film director, best known for his work on “My Name is Earl” (2004-2009).
• Leila Vosper: A Canadian writer and journalist, best known for her coverage of the BC provincial elections in 1949 and for her novel “Girl On Fire” (2008).

Other surnames

Vospeter