Alpine

Alpine
This very unusual and intriguing name is of early medieval English and occasionally French origins. It is a good example of that sizeable group of medieval surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics, including supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition. Alp, Alpe, diminutives Alpin, Alpine, patronymics, Alps Alpes, and others, derive from the Middle English word "alpe", meaning a bullfinch. This was given as a nickname to someone who bore some fancied resemblance to the bird, perhaps favouring bright colours or possessing a sweet singing voice. Other medieval surnames from bird names include Lark, Swan, Nightingale and Hawk. In some few instances of the surname Alp(s), the derivation may be from the Old French "alpe(s)", high mountain, pasture on a mountain-side, and thus a topographical name for someone living on or by such a place. Among the recordings of the name in London are the marriages of Hester Alpe and Thomas Stanton on January 11th 1579 at St. Lawrence Jewry, and of Edward Alp and Dorothy Wilson on February 19th 1698, at Finsbury. In France, Jean Nicolas Alp was christened on April 11th 1869 at Hestroff, Moselle. A coat of arms associated with the name has the blazon of a bluie shield charged with a fesse ermine between three silver alpes. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Matilda Alpe. This was dated 1275, in the "Hundred Rolls of Norfolk", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Alpine — bezeichnet: die japanische Firma Alpine Electronics ein E Mail Programm, siehe Alpine (E Mail Programm) ein Niederländischer Produzent von Gehörschutz, siehe Alpine Nederland B.V. ein österreichisches Bauunternehmen, siehe Alpine Holding eine… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alpine — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda El término alpine puede referirse a: Contenido 1 Empresas 2 Lugares 2.1 Australia 2.2 Canadá …   Wikipedia Español

  • Alpine — Alpine, WY U.S. town in Wyoming Population (2000): 550 Housing Units (2000): 274 Land area (2000): 0.698075 sq. miles (1.808006 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.698075 sq. miles (1.808006 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Alpine — экран Alpine 1.10, показывающий содержание папки Тип …   Википедия

  • Alpine — Al pine, a. [L. Alpinus, fr. Alpes the Alps: cf. F. Alpin.] 1. Of or pertaining to the Alps, or to any lofty mountain; as, Alpine snows; Alpine plants. [1913 Webster] 2. Like the Alps; lofty. Gazing up an Alpine height. Tennyson. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Alpine, AK — U.S. Census Designated Place in Alaska Population (2000): 0 Housing Units (2000): 0 Land area (2000): 38.255517 sq. miles (99.081329 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.937052 sq. miles (2.426953 sq. km) Total area (2000): 39.192569 sq. miles… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Alpine, CA — U.S. Census Designated Place in California Population (2000): 13143 Housing Units (2000): 4958 Land area (2000): 26.872456 sq. miles (69.599339 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.003649 sq. miles (0.009450 sq. km) Total area (2000): 26.876105 sq. miles …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Alpine, NJ — U.S. borough in New Jersey Population (2000): 2183 Housing Units (2000): 730 Land area (2000): 6.355927 sq. miles (16.461774 sq. km) Water area (2000): 2.816638 sq. miles (7.295059 sq. km) Total area (2000): 9.172565 sq. miles (23.756833 sq. km)… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Alpine, TX — U.S. city in Texas Population (2000): 5786 Housing Units (2000): 2852 Land area (2000): 4.084764 sq. miles (10.579489 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 4.084764 sq. miles (10.579489 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Alpine, UT — U.S. city in Utah Population (2000): 7146 Housing Units (2000): 1734 Land area (2000): 7.202921 sq. miles (18.655479 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 7.202921 sq. miles (18.655479 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Alpine, WY — U.S. town in Wyoming Population (2000): 550 Housing Units (2000): 274 Land area (2000): 0.698075 sq. miles (1.808006 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.698075 sq. miles (1.808006 sq. km) FIPS code …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”