Origin of Papa
ecorded in many spelling forms including Papa, Lo Papa, Papotto (Italian), Pope, Pape, & Lepope (English and French), Pabst, Babst, Baff, Paff, Pfaff, & Pfaffe (German),Papez (Czech), Papiez and Papierz (Polish), Papis (Flemish), De Paepe (Dutch), Pappi (Finnish), and Papis (Flemish), as well as diminutives including Pfaffel, Papen and Paffen (German), and compounds suchas the Greek Papachristphorou, this interesting surname is a European status surname. It derives from the ecclesiastical title for head of the Roman Catholic Church, the (Latin) word "Papa", meaning a bishop or pope.
In the early Christian Church, "Papa" was used as a title of respect for clergy of every rank, but in the Western Church it gradually came to be restricted to bishops, and finally only to the bishop of Rome. In the Eastern Church it has continued to be used of all priests. As a surname it probably originated as a nickname for a person with an austere ecclesiastical appearance, or for an actor who had played the part of the pope in a medieval pageant or play. Ealy examples of the surname recording taken from authentic surving rolls and charters include the intriguing one of "Agnes le Pope" in Cambridgeshire, England. This was dated 1230, in the rolls known as "Liber Memorandorum Ecclesie de Bernewelle", whilst in Germany in 1287, Wernherus Pfaffe was recorded in the charters of Lorch, state of Hessian-Nassau. Throughout the centuries, with changing languages, dialects, and spellings, surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
It derives from names and nicknames originating from the Greek word papas which means "father", or from Papo (hypocoristic Tuscan endearment of the names Jacopo and Lapo). In the dialects of southern Italy, such as in Calabrian for example, papa takes on the meaning of "uncle" or "priest" or even "godfather". In all cases, however, it is used to indicate a "person worthy of respect".
Papa is a pan-Italian surname with a greater concentration in central-southern Italy and in particular in Campania.
Papallo has a Neapolitan and a Calabrian lineage.
Papadonno has an Apulian lineage in the province of Brindisi.
Papaianni is Calabrian.
Papini and Papucci are typical of Tuscany.
Papone and Paponi are Ligurian.
Papale is typical of Campania and Sicily while Pappi is from Romagna.
The surname Papa. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance
We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname papa, and in addition to the original locations of papa, we can find out where people with the surname papa can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of papa.
The surname Papa around the world
The mobility of people carrying the surname papa has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
History of Papa
The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname papa are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname papa.
Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname papa or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of papa.
Notable Figures Named Papa
A surname like papa can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname papa, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
The surname Papa and its bibliographic sources
We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname papa, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of papa.
SOURCES
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of papa, and at the same time, of surnames in general.
