Surname Tipi - Meaning and Origin
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Tipi: What does the surname Tipi mean?
The last name Tipi is thought to be of Swiss-German origin. It is also commonly associated with a number of different cultures. In some cases, it may even be related to other surnames such as Typpi, Tympi, Tipu, Tippay or Tippi.
In Switzerland, the name is derived from the middle high German word ‘tippe’. This word originates from ‘tepe’ meaning ‘wood tip’ and may have been given to individuals who worked as woodcutters. Alternatively, the last name could have denoted somebody who made or dealt with wooden objects of some kind.
In other cultures the surname has a different meaning. In Estonian, the word ‘tipi’ means ‘striped’, so it may have been used to describe someone who had stripes on their clothing or in their hair. Similarly, in India the term ‘tipi’ refers to the act of making traditional religious offerings of food or flowers to deities and so it may have been given to those who made such offerings.
The last name Tipi is found in many countries across the world, often altering slightly in spelling and meaning depending on the culture it is used in. It is an interesting surname and provides its individuals with a unique insight into the history of their name.
Order DNA origin analysisTipi: Where does the name Tipi come from?
The last name Tipi is often found in Southern and Central Italy, and is believed to have originated in that region in the Middle Ages. It is particularly common in the provinces of Napoli, Bari, Latina, and Foggia, where many families with the Tipi surname live today. In addition, some Italians with the Tipi last name have spread elsewhere, establishing branches of the family in Europe, North and South America, Australia, and beyond.
Tipi is thought to be derived from the Italian word for “fountain,” and the name carries connotations of strength and longevity. Its bearer was likely once a wealthy landowner, which explains its ubiquity in rural areas. One example is the small town of San Agapito, near Napoli, which has been home to the Tipi family for centuries.
Those Tipi families who have emigrated to other countries often trace their lineage back to the small villages of Southern and Central Italy. In many cases, the families adopted different spellings of the name to adapt to the language spoken in the region—for example, in the United States, Tipi might be written as “Tippe,” “Tippey,” or “Tippet.”
Today, the Tipi surname is a reminder of the Italian immigrants who left their homeland in search of a better life. It honors the endurance of their families, who continue to thrive wherever they have settled, and celebrates their legacy.
Variations of the surname Tipi
The Tipi surname is an anglicized spelling of a variety of surnames that have likely derived from the Devon and Cornwall area of England. Some of the commonly seen variants of Tipi include, Tipi, Tepee, Tippie, Teeple, Tippey, Tepple, Tipy, Tippy, Typpi, and Typpy. It is also sometimes seen spelled as Tipie or Teppie.
The origin of the name Tipi is uncertain, though some have suggested it may have come from an old Cornish or Welsh word, or possibly even from the Gaelic for ‘David’. It is possible that the surname originated with a man who was actually named ‘David’ and that the Tipi spelling eventually came about as a corruption of his original name.
It has also been suggested that the surname might be derived from the old English verb ‘Tippen’, which means to ‘hop’ or ‘lurch’. This seems plausible, as the original meaning of the word ‘tepee’ was ‘hop or dance in a circle’.
Some have proposed that the various spellings of Tipi could indicate that it is a nickname bestowed upon someone who was small and had a tendency to jump around a lot or dance. If this is the case, then the surname could essentially be derived from an Old English word meaning ‘little dancer’.
No matter what the true roots of the surname are, it is clear that there are several variants and spellings of Tipi that are seen throughout the UK. The different spellings and related surnames include Tepee, Tippie, Teeple, Tippey, Tepple, Tipy, Tippy, Typpi, Typpy, Tipie, and Teppie.
Famous people with the name Tipi
- Jørgen Tipi, a Greenlandic politician and former cabinet minister.
- Amanda Tipi, an American television host known for her work on MTV and AOL's Lab Rat.
- David Tipi, an American chess grandmaster and coach.
- Joel Tipi, a French kickboxer and former World Combat League welterweight champion.
- Ruedi Tipi, a Swiss politician and member of the National Council of Switzerland.
- Semisi Tipi, a Tongan rugby union player who represented Tonga in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
- Siuaki Livai Tipi, a Tongan politician and former Cabinet minister.
- Simone Tipi, an Italian singer who competed at the Sanremo Music Festival.
- Tupou Tipi, a Tongan judge who has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Tonga since 2008.
- William Tipi, a Nigerian filmmaker and actor best known for his critically acclaimed short films.