Surname Kasperl - Meaning and Origin
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Kasperl: What does the surname Kasperl mean?
Kasperl is a German surname originating from Bavaria. It is derived from the Middle High German term “Kasperle” meaning “puppet”. The name Kasperl was originally given to children in Bavaria to represent a form of theatre entertainment popular in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. The theatre performances, often associated with time-honoured stories, involved a narrator or master of ceremonies character known as “Kasperl” and various other puppet characters. Kasperl was typically depicted as hapless and gullible and he was often the brunt of the joke.
Over time, the use of the “Kasperl” theatre performances decreased until they eventually died out by the 19th century. Nevertheless, the name Kasperl remains popular to this day, particularly in the Bavarian region of Germany, and is used to signify a sense of childlike innocence, naivety, and humour. The name Kasperl also holds a special meaning to many of those who bear it as it serves as a tribute to their ancestors' popular theatre performances.
Order DNA origin analysisKasperl: Where does the name Kasperl come from?
The last name Kasperl is most commonly found today in the Central and Eastern European countries of Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland. This name is thought to have originated in Austria, where records from as early as the 15th century document the use of the name. Kasperl is most likely a variation on the German given name Caspar, or Gaspar, which is derived from a Persian or Hebrew origin and means "keeper of the treasure."
In Austria, Germany, and Hungary, Kasperls are generally thought to be of German ancestry. In Switzerland, however, the last name is most likely a variation of the French spelling of Caspar, suggesting a French origin.
Kasperl is a relatively common surname in Austria, with more than 145,000 people with the last name according to the 2005 Austrian Census. In Germany, the name is less common, with only about 8,500 people sharing the surname. In Hungary, the name is rare, with fewer than 2,000 individuals with the last name. Switzerland reports having about 1,600 Kasperls.
Although not common in the United States, some individuals with the name Kasperl may have emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, some individuals may have adopted the name in the United States through marriages or adoptions.
Variations of the surname Kasperl
Kasperl is a diminutive of the male name Caspar, a traditional German name meaning 'Treasurer'. The name Kasperl is mostly found in Austria, South Germany and the Czech Republic in the form 'Kasparl'. In some areas, it is also found as Kasper, Kasperle, Kasperlly, Kaspor, Kaspoor, Kasporl, Kaspühl, Kaspels, Kasple or Kaspehl.
In the United States, the name is often Americanized to Casper, Casperle, Casperly, Caspur, Cassper, Caspoor, Casple, Caspehl, Kaspers, Kaspels, Casporl, or Caspühl. Variants of the name in the United Kingdom are Caspar, Casparle, Casparlly, Gasperl, Kasperl, Casperly, Casparl, Kasperlly, Kassperl, Kaspoorl, Kaspirel, Kasporl, or Kaspehl.
In Italy, the name is spelled Casparo, Casparino, Kaspar, Kaspero, Kasperl, Caspiro, Kassperl, Kaspoorl or Kaspehl. In Spain, the variants are Caspar, Casparino, Kaspar, Kaspero, Casesporl, Caspiro, Kassperl, Kaspoorl and Casple.
There is also a surname usually of German origin which is Kaspar or Caspar, and also variants such as Kasper, Casperle, Casperly, Caspur, Cassper, Caspoor, Casporl, Kaspehl, Kaspers, Kaspels, Casparl, Kasperlly, Kassperl, Kaspoorl, Kaspirel, Kasporl or Kaspehl. The surname Kasperl is uncommon in many countries, but it is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Kasperl
- Franz Kasperl: Austrian footballer
- A. Frank Kasperl: Austrian author
- Sabine Kasperl: Austrian alpine skier
- Josef Kasperl: Austrian footballer
- Graziella Kasperl: Austrian aerobatic pilot
- Georg Kasperl: Austrian footballer
- Albrecht Kasperl: Austrian footballer
- Richard Kasperl: Austrian association football coach
- Heiner Kasperl: Austrian footballer
- Alexander Kasperl: Austrian footballer