Surname Bishop - Meaning and Origin

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Bishop: What does the surname Bishop mean?

The last name Bishop is of English origin and was often given as an occupational surname for someone who worked in a bishop's household or served under a bishop's authority in a cathedral or monastery, and not necessarily someone who held the ecclesiastical post. The term "bishop" itself derives from the Old English "biscop," "bisceop," or "bisc(ea)p" which is borrowed from the Late Latin term "episcopus," meaning "overseer" or "watcher," which in turn comes from the Ancient Greek "episkopos." It was also occasionally given as a nickname to a person who was considered to be pompous or who excessively acted like a bishop. The name Bishop was first found in Worcestershire, England, before it became more widespread. The surname can also be seen in early American colonial records. Over time, variations of the name have emerged and it is now common in various Anglophone countries around the world. It's worth noting that Bishop can also be a Jewish name of Ashkenazic origin.

Bishop: Where does the name Bishop come from?

The surname Bishop is of English origin and derives from the Old English "biscop," which was initially borrowed from the Greek word "episkopos," meaning overseer. Initially, it was used as a nickname for someone who served in a bishop's household or perhaps showed certain attributes of a bishop, such as piety or authority. It was also used for a person who played the role of a bishop in a medieval play.

The Bishop surname is most common in the United States, followed by England and Australia. In England, it is more common in the South West, particularly in the county of Gloucestershire. It is also predominantly found in the U.S. states of Georgia, Texas, Florida, and California. Despite its religious origin, the term usually has a largely occupational context in these countries.

Variations of the surname Bishop

The surname Bishop is of English origin and was a name often given to someone who worked in a bishop's household or played the role of a bishop in a medieval play. It is derived from the Old English word "biscop," which is from the Greek "episkopos," meaning overseer or superintendent.

Commonly, spelling variants for Bishop can include "Bishopp," "Bischop," "Byshop," and "Bishoppe". Older renderings like the Old English "Biscop" may also be considered variants. These primarily reflect regional dialectical differences and changes in language and spelling over time.

In Scotland, the similar surname Bissett was often anglicized to Bishop after migration. Similarly, the German surname Bischoff might be Americanized to Bishop. Bishop itself has been changed to many different surnames worldwide due to translation and cultural differences. Those surnames may be Biskup in Czech, Opiskin in Russian, and Pueyo or Puyo in Spanish, among many others.

The Bishop surname can also be used as a first name, especially in many English-speaking countries. This surname can be found in various areas worldwide.

Please note that the validity of these variants depends on individual family lines and their personal histories. It is always best to conduct personal genealogical research for the most accurate information.

Famous people with the name Bishop

• Elvin Bishop: An American blues and rock musician.
• Julie Bishop: An Australian politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• John Bishop: An English comedian, presenter and actor.
• Joyce Bishop: An American actress and model.
• Kelly Bishop: An American actress, known for her roles in "Gilmore Girls" and "Dirty Dancing."
• Stephen Bishop: An American singer-songwriter.
• Elizabeth Bishop: A Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet.
• Suzan Bishop: An American actress.
• Kevin Bishop: An English actor and comedian.
• Joey Bishop: An American entertainer who was part of the Rat Pack.
• Jessica Bishop: A British news presenter.
• Emily Bishop: A fictional character from the soap opera "Coronation Street."
• Jamie Bishop: An American graphic designer and photographer.
• Sir Henry Bishop: An English composer.
• Patricia Bishop: A Trinidad and Tobago cultural icon.
• Jim Bishop: An American author and journalist.
• Irene Bishop: A prominent British educationalist.
• Ben Bishop: An American professional ice hockey goaltender.
• Bernard Bishop: An English athlete who competed in the 1964 Olympics.
• Ed Bishop: An American actor who lived and worked primarily in the UK.
• Abraham Bishop: An influential American politician.

Other surnames

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