Surname Chrisp - Meaning and Origin
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Chrisp: What does the surname Chrisp mean?
The surname Chrisp is of English origin and is believed to be a locational or geographical name. It was likely derived from a place such as Crispin Street in London or Little Crispe in Kent. Some families may have taken the name based on residence near an area known for growing or selling 'crisps', which referred to curly-haired individuals or those who wore their hair in a particularly curled fashion in medieval times. The name has several variations, including Crisp, Krisp, Crysp, and others. In Old English, the word 'crisp' meant 'curly'. Thus, it might have also been used as a nickname for someone with curly hair. Over time, it evolved into a surname passed down through generations. Like many surnames, the exact meaning often depended on the specific geographical and historical context of the person or family bearing the name. Despite these potential origins, it is always important to remember that the meaning may vary based on individual family history and evolution of the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisChrisp: Where does the name Chrisp come from?
The surname Chrisp is of Scottish origin. It is believed to have evolved from the name Crispin, originally of Norman-French derivation, from the word "crispin," meaning "curly-haired." The name was further influenced by Old Norse or Danish equivalents as they were adopted in Northern England and Scotland.
Scotland, specifically the regions of Lanarkshire and Midlothian, were where the Chrisp surname found its earliest origins around the 15th century. It was common for one to move to another place and take on the name of that location as a means of identification, which is potentially how some family members came to bear the surname Chrisp.
Today, the surname Chrisp is still predominantly found in the United Kingdom, especially in the regions of Northern England and Scotland. However, with the migration patterns over centuries, the name has dispersed to other parts of the world such as Australia, the United States, and Canada. Nonetheless, it still remains relatively rare compared to other last names.
Variations of the surname Chrisp
The surname Chrisp is relatively unique, and while it may not have a large number of direct variants, it can be linked to other surnames through shared etymology and historical transformations.
Some possible variations of the spelling could consist of: "Chrysp", "Chrissp", "Krisp", or "Crisp".
The latter, Crisp, could be perceived as the most common variant. The surname Crisp links to various versions due to localization and personal preference, such as "Crispe", "Crispp", "Cripps" and "Cripps".
There is also a possibility that the surname Chrisp originated from the Christian name Crispus. Over time this could have transformed into various forms such as "Crispin", "Crispian", "Crispinus" and "Crispien".
In some cases, the name might be linked to the Latin word "crispus", meaning "curly", and could have started as a nickname. This might provide additional variants like "Curly" or "Curl".
However, it's important to remember that surnames can change over time due to regional dialects, immigration, and misspellings, so tracing a definitive set of variants can be challenging.
Famous people with the name Chrisp
- Bob Crisp: retired Australian cricketer.
- Ruth Crisp: British author and educator.
- George Crisp: American film and television actor.
- Jack Crisp: Australian rules football player.
- Paul Crisp: English football player and manager.
- Graham Crisp: BBC radio and television presenter.
- Sarah Crisp: Australian author, conservationist and environmentalist.
- Martin Crisp: British business executive.
- Lucinda Crisp: Anglo-American actress and television presenter.
- Ashley Crisp: British fashion model.