Vipers and it's numerous spellings?
I am really puzzled by my ancestor's name - it is quite rare. It can be spelt Vipers/ Vipors/ Viper/ Vipor/ Vipours/ Vipus/ Vipas. Can anyone shed any light on where this name has originated. There were quite a few in Hertfordshire area in 1800s - 1900s. There were a few around Cambridge in 1600/1700s. I have found a St Vepus church in Cornwall and America seems to have the surname Vapor. Any ideas would be welcome.
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Reaney and Wilson (dictionary of English Surnames) do not list this name in any of the above forms. They have an entry for WIPER and WYPERS, and suggest that this is occupational, but of obscure meaning.
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Hi, Chris
Well from what I gather is that different languages have different spelling; like Maier, mayer, meyer, etc. Also when a foreiner and comes over to America and register, their surnames are usually american-ised, ex. Whittenmeyer / reg. as Whitmire (but it could probably be your choice to change it, I believe.) But overall, I'm not exactly sure. I hope it helps you, or at least gives your an idea.
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