Surname Ripsam - Meaning and Origin
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Ripsam: What does the surname Ripsam mean?
The last name Ripsam is of German origin and is believed to have originally been an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “ripsam,” meaning “a swordsmith who sharpened weapons.” Alternatively, it could also have been derived from the German word “ripsen,” meaning “plough”, suggesting that early holders of the name Ripsam were ploughmen.
Ripsam is often found in records for its various spelling variants, including Ripsam von Onegen, Ripsem, Rippsam, Rippsom, Ripsen, and Ripsom. Those bearing the surname Ripsam and variations have made significant contributions to society throughout its history, including military leaders, farmers, artists, politicians, athletes, scholars, and physicians.
In modern times, the last name Ripsam has mainly been found in Southwest Germany, particularly the states of Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. As a testament to the rich history behind the name, many Ripsams from contemporary Germany are actively involved in preserving the legacy of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisRipsam: Where does the name Ripsam come from?
The last name Ripsam is most common in Germany today. Records show that the name is most commonly found in Bavaria, a large state located in the southeastern side of country near Austria. Beyond Bavaria, other regions with more than a few individuals sporting the Ripsam name include North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia. Records also indicate that the name was used in England during the 13th century. As such, it is possible that there are individuals scattered throughout the United Kingdom who are descendants of the original Ripsam family.
The name Ripsam is derived from the German word “Ripp,” which translates to “rips” in English. Early records indicate that the name was originally associated with a place where rushes and grasses grew abundantly which was also used as a grazing land for animals. Tracing the origins of this place reveals that the name was adopted in the 9th century and became popular among both peasantry and nobility.
Although not as common as it has been in past centuries, the name Ripsam still lives on today in German-speaking countries as well as areas with a German influence. Variations of the name exist too, such as Rippsam, Ripsem, and Ripssam. Even though the occurrence of the name is rare, the Ripsam surname proudly lives on in many individuals and families today.
Variations of the surname Ripsam
Ripsam is a surname that is believed to have originated in the Low Countries, a region in Northern Europe comprised of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Common variations of the Ripsam surname include Ripsem, Ripsen, Ripson, Ripsom, Ripsum, Ripton, and Ripshaw.
Ripsam is a patronymic surname, which is derived from the first name of a man's father (Rip + suffix “s-am”, meaning son of). While the original spelling of the root name, Rip, is Dutch, most variations of the surname have not kept the original spelling. This is because the surname has been passed on through families who have moved to other countries, and over time, the spelling of the surname has adapted to the local language.
In America, Upstate New York was a popular destination for Dutch immigrants in the 19th century and, as a result, Ripsam is fairly common in this area. Therefore, Ripsam (or variation) is especially common in the New York and New Jersey areas.
Other surnames with similar spellings, who are possibly related to the larger Ripsam family, include Risdon, Rispin, Rissim, Reipen, Reipsam, Reipsen, Rippon and Ripsham. Because of the pattern of migration in the 17th and 18th centuries, one may also find some variants of the name Ripsam in countries such as Canada, England and Australia.
Famous people with the name Ripsam
- Evalyn Ripsam, Olympic Equestrian
- Scott Ripsam, American Football Player
- John Ripsam, Actor
- Thomas Ripsam, German Car Designer
- Jennifer Ripsam, Environmental Scientist
- Ryan Ripsam, Entrepreneur
- Lorraine Ripsam, Musician
- Carina Ripsam, Fitness Instructor
- Jason Ripsam, Television Presenter
- Steven Ripsam, Artist