Surname Schipper - Meaning and Origin

An Enlightening Voyage: How My iGENEA DNA Test Redefined the Significance of Being a Schipper

Delving into my ancestral roots through an iGENEA DNA test has deeply impacted my perception of my surname, Schipper, and our shared family history. This intimate exploration of my lineage has not only enriched my family narrative but also redefined the weight behind the Schipper name.

F. Schipper

Schipper: What does the surname Schipper mean?

The last name Schipper is of Dutch origin, and it is derived from the Dutch word ‘Schipper’ which literally translates to ‘Captain’. This last name was likely used either as an occupational name by someone who was in the maritime profession, or it was used as a nickname for someone who had an authoritative or regal personality.

The surname could also have been passed down to individuals who moved to other countries in Europe and beyond - like England or America - in the early 17th century. The name is more commonly found in the northern states throughout the United States.

Alternatively, the surname Schipper may also be a shortened version of certain German and Dutch surnames such as Scheppers, which was likely used as an inspiration for the Schipper family name. The German word ‘scheppen’ means ‘to ship’.

Today, the Schipper surname is held by thousands of individuals around the world, including those who still have a connection with maritime heritage or activities. While the surname is thought to have originally represented someone who worked on a ship, many of those who carry the Schipper name today live lives far removed from sailing and the sea.

Schipper: Where does the name Schipper come from?

Schipper is a relatively common Dutch surname meaning ship captain or skipper; the Americanized version of the name is either Schippers or Shipler. It is most commonly found in The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. In the Netherlands, the name can be found mainly in the western provinces of Zeeland, North and South Holland, and Friesland. Additionally, it is found throughout the northern part of Germany, particularly in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Bremen. In Belgium, the name is especially common in Flanders, with most people bearing the name living in the eastern part of the country.

Outside of Europe, Schipper is not as widespread. Nevertheless, the surname has spread to Australia, North and South America, and Canada. In the United States, the name is most common in the states of New York, New Jersey, and California. There is also significant presence of Schippers in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Alberta. Additionally, the surname is most common in Australia’s largest cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne.

Though the surname is primarily concentrated in Europe, Schipper has spread far and wide in recent decades, and today it can be found throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Schipper

Schipper is a Dutch, North German, and East Frisian surname. It is derived from the word schipper, which means “skipper” or “ship's pilot” in old Dutch, indicating that the original bearer of the name was a sailor or a ship captain.

Variants of Schipper include:

• Schiper (German)

• Schipperer (German)

• Schippers (Dutch)

• Schipperus (German)

• Schyper (Yiddish)

• Schyppere (Yiddish)

• Schypher (Yiddish)

• Schypper (Yiddish)

• Schypperus (Yiddish)

• Schippö (North German)

• Schippon (North German)

• Schippow (North German)

• Schippen (East Frisian)

• Schippens (East Frisian)

• Schipmans (Dutch)

• Schippersman (Dutch)

• Shippon (North German)

• Shippen (East Frisian).

Surnames related to Schippers include Schepper, Schopper, Schotter, Schutter, and Schutterer. These names are similar in origin to Schipper, but they are derived from other terms in Dutch and German, such as schotter, which means “paving” or schutter, which means “guard” or “shooter.”

Overall, Schipper is a Dutch, North German, and East Frisian surname derived from the old Dutch word for “skipper” or “ship's pilot.” There are many variants, spellings, and related surnames for this name.

Famous people with the name Schipper

• Marcel Schipper: Dutch politician
• Johan Schipper: Dutch film director and screenwriter
• Arnold Schipper: Dutch psychologist and composer
• Erik Schipper: Dutch philosophers
• Josina Schipper: Dutch children's book illustrator
• Harm Schipper: Dutch handball coach
• Coby Schipper: Dutch professional field hockey player
• Marijke Schipper: Dutch cyclist and multiple world champion
• Henny Schipper: Dutch author and teacher
• Hennie Schipper: Dutch theatre director and actor
• Carmen Schipper: Dutch road cyclist
• Evert Schipper: Dutch painter
• Huib Schipper: Dutch author and radio announcer
• Dirk Schipper: Dutch sculptor and painter
• Chris Schipper: Dutch darts player
• Rob Schipper: Dutch actor and television presenter
• Hans Schipper: Dutch professional soccer player
• Joost Schipper: Dutch professional soccer player
• Klaas Schipper: Dutch farmer and folklorist
• Foppe Schipper: Dutch jockey and spokesperson for the Dutch Thoroughbred Association

Other surnames

Schippenbeil