Surname Zapp - Meaning and Origin
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Zapp: What does the surname Zapp mean?
The last name Zapp is of German origin and is thought to have derived from a personal name derived from the Yiddish given name Zippel or the Germanic name Sifrid. It is believed to have initially originated in the Rhineland area, where it could have initially meant a hunting gatherer or one who searched for game. This is evidenced by the Old High German word zapp meaning to “search”.
It is also believed that the name could have derived from a word meaning to move or as a nickname for someone who moved from one place to another. As well, it could have been taken from a place name, as there is a village in western Germany called Zappen.
In modern times, the last name Zapp has been extremely common among German people. It isn’t unusual to find several entries in the phone book with this last name. In the United States, the surname is a bit less common, but still can be found in some places.
The surname Zapp is typically connected with adventurous and curious personalities because of the name’s original meaning. Those who carry the last name are often eager to seek out new knowledge and explore different cultures and ideas.
Order DNA origin analysisZapp: Where does the name Zapp come from?
The last name Zapp is a German surname which is still fairly common in parts of Germany today. It likely originated in northern Germany and is most commonly found in the region. Many people named Zapp have emigrated from Germany and are now found in various countries around the world.
Zapp is also quite common in the US, where it ranks as the 1,266th most common surname. It is particularly prevalent in the Midwest and parts of the East Coast, where many German immigrants settled. Other countries in which Zapp is common include the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, France, and Australia.
Many people named Zapp today are direct descendants of German immigrants of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is likely that the name has been anglicized in different countries over the course of hundreds of years, leading to variants such as Zappe, Zappmann, and Zapski.
Overall, the Zapp surname is found all over the world today, but it remains especially common in German-speaking countries and in areas which have large German communities.
Variations of the surname Zapp
The surname Zapp has several possible variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. It is thought to be a variation of the German root “Sapp” and likely originates from the oldest known Germanic root “Sappi,” meaning “one who is joyous and full of satisfaction.”
Variations of the name Zapp include Sapp, Zappe, Zipp, Zippe, Zip, and Zipple. Variants in spelling can also include Zeph, Zephye, Zab, Zabbe, Zabb, and Zeb.
Surnames of the same root include Zappen, Zapper, Zappert, Sappen, Sappert, Zappy, Zabey, Zabbon, Zapff, Zaborn, Zaborny, Sapf, and Sapfel.
The name has spread throughout German-speaking countries, particularly in northwestern Germany where it is most commonly found. Other countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein also feature this surname in varying numbers.
The name is most prevalent in Germany, where its numbers account for approximately 0.2% of the German population according to the surname distribution database, “Forebears”. In the United States, only 32 people are recorded as having this name, likely due to its Germanic roots.
Famous people with the name Zapp
- Roger Troutman: American musician, singer, producer, and songwriter known for his use of the talk box in his music
- John Zapp: American athlete who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich as a fencer
- Felix Zapp: American artist who specializes in creating a range of whimsical and colorful sculptures
- Jeff Zapp: American stand-up comedian
- Steve Zapp: American musician, songwriter, and actor
- Christina Zapp: American artist who specializes in sculpting and painting abstract human figures
- Theresa Zapp: American musical theater composer, singer-songwriter, and producer
- Chris Zapp: American video game developer, producer, and composer
- Matt Zapp: American voice actor who has provided voices for various cartoon and video game characters
- Fiona Zapp: American sculptor whose monumental figures celebrate the human spirit and form