Surname Karp - Meaning and Origin
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Karp: What does the surname Karp mean?
The last name Karp is a Jewish name, which is derived from either an occupation or from a personal name. It is sometimes anglicized as Carp.
The most common origin of the name Karp is from the Yiddish word “karpe,” which means “carp fish” and was the name of a fishmonger or a fish dealer. This likely stems from some Jewish communities in Germany, Austria, and Slovakia in the Middle Ages that engaged in fish trade. This is why it is common to find families with the surname Karp living in areas near rivers or in seaside towns.
Alternatively, Karp could also be derived from the Israeli personal name “Karp,” which is a variant of the Hebrew name “Kirpah,” which means “on the watch.”
Karp could also be derived from the Old High German root “karap,” which is thought to mean “curly.”
The earliest mention of the name Karp was in 1764 in Prussian military records. It was also found among Jewish immigrants who came to the United States in the late 19th century.
Today, the surname Karp is most commonly found among Jewish families and is still cherished by those who bear it. The name Karp is associated with a rich history, of both occupational and personal origins, and its legacy continues today.
Order DNA origin analysisKarp: Where does the name Karp come from?
The last name Karp is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is generally believed to be derived from the old German word "karben" which is a form of the word "karpa" meaning "crow". The first recorded use of the surname Karp was in 1690s Poland.
Since the 19th century, the Karp surname has spread to various English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The highest concentration of individuals with the Karp surname is in the United States, with over 17,000 individuals claiming this surname in the 2010 US Census.
It is also common in areas that have a high population of Jewish immigrants, such as Canada as well as Latin American countries. In the mid-19th century, many Jews migrated to Latin American countries in search of economic and political opportunities.
In general, the Karp surname is most common in areas that have had a large Jewish population, such as Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Latin American countries. In these areas, it is a relatively common surname.
Variations of the surname Karp
The surname Karp is derived from the Old High German words “karb” and “zarp”, meaning “carpenter” and “tool” respectively. It was an occupational surname given to individuals that were craftsmen in carpentry.
Variations of the surname Karp include Karpman, Karpinski, Karpov, Karpinsky, Karpitski, Karpevich, Karpouski, Karpel, Karpesky, Karpik, Karpuk, Karpushin, Karpach, Karpova, Karpowa, and Karpitsky.
Common spellings of Karp include Karb, Karp, Karpf, Karap, Karpo, Karpp, and Karppi. Other spellings include Karpa, Karpe, Karpi, Karpo, Karpu, Karpy, Karrp, Karbar, Carp, Carpp, Carpf, and Carpo.
Surnames of the same origin include Karpen, Karpinskiy, Karpovich, Karpyuk, and Karpovetsky. These are all derived from the same German roots as Karp.
Overall, the surname Karp has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Throughout the centuries, the evolutionary spelling of the name has changed and evolved, although its original meaning in Old German has remained the same.
Famous people with the name Karp
- Ben Karp: a former American basketball player, who was born in Chicago and stranded with the sport since his high school years.
- Alexander Karp: a German entrepreneur and investor who is the co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies.
- Laura Karp: an American woman who was the first female director of United States Air Force logistics.
- Yael Karp: an Israeli biochemist who is the president of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
- Joe Karp: a former Major League Baseball pitcher who is most known for his brief stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers.
- Gidon Karp: an Israeli actor, screenwriter, and director who has appeared in a number of international films.
- Alan Karp: an American software engineer best known for his work at Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft.
- Luke Karp: an American baseball player, who most recently played for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.
- Aron Karp: an American sculptor and performance artist who has had his artwork featured in over thirty countries.
- Lisa Karp: an American actress and singer, who is best known for her roles on Broadway, television, and film.