KudoZ home » French to English » Genealogy

Surpas

English translation: family name

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

French term or phrase:	Surpas
English translation:	family name
Entered by:	Kim Metzger

Options:
- Contribute to this entry

02:17 Jan 15, 2002

French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Genealogy / Genealogy

French term or phrase: Surpas

The last name of a French ancestor of mine was Surpas. Overstep? Any ideas on the origin of the name? Someone once told me it sounded like a name created during the French Revolution.

Kim Metzger KudoZ activity Questions: 1160 (none open) (9 closed without grading) Answers: 14452 Mexico
Local time: 01:46

Surpas

Explanation:
Hi Kim
There isn't much information about this last name. In this site you can find a map of France, and several dates (on the right). If you choose a period and then move the arrow on the map, it shows exactly how many births were registered in the place you are showing. May be it is interesting for you. I didn't find anything about its etymology

http://www.club-internet.fr/nomprenom/origine.phtml?type=2

The verb "surpasser" exists since 1530 and comes from sur- and passer, existing since 1340. It means to surpass, to exceed (one's hopes). It is the closer word I see.

The names created during the revolution used to have a relationship with nature ( may be my knowledge is partial), and I don't think it was created in that period.

Selected response from:

Claudia Iglesias
Chile
Local time: 02:46

Grading comment

Merci beaucoup, Claudia. I know that these kinds of questions are difficult to deal with. But your information was very helpful.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

Surpas

Claudia Iglesias