Jasper

This interesting and unusual name derives from a Persian word meaning "keeper" or "bringer of treaure". Gaspar or Kaspar is belived to have been the name of one of the three Magi who visited the Chrish child. His remains were brought to Cologne from Canstantinople in the 12th century, and the name gained considerable popularity in Europe after this. One, Jasper Cranwell is recorded in the Register of St. Dionis Backchurch, London, dated 1545. In 1549 Anne Jesper married a John Lamb in St. Peter's church, Cornhill, London and on June 28th 1592 William Jasper, an infant, was christened in St. Martin in the Field, Westminster. Jasper, Jaspar, and Jesper are generally belived to be German forms of the name. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Frances Jasper married John Symms. which was dated 1572 at St. Bartholomew the Less, London. during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I Good Queen Bess 1558 - 1603. 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.