The surname Pope is of English origin. It was a nickname derived from the eccesiastical title for the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Middle English ‘pope’ ( Old English ‘papa’, from Late Latin ‘papa’, bishop, pope, from the Greek ‘pappas’, father, in origin a nursery word ). In the early Christian Church, the Latin term was at first used as a title of respect for male clergy of every rank, but in the Western Church it came to be restricted to bishops, and then only to the bishop of Rome; in the Eastern Church it continued to be used of all priests. The nickname would have been used for a vain or pompous man, or for someone who had played the part of the pope in a pageant or play. A sobriquet for one of an austere, ascetic, and ecclesiastical appearance. The word nickname is derived from “an eke-name” or added name, and since surnames originated as added names for help in identification, all surnames are, in a sense, nicknames. The name dates back to the twelfth century were a Hugo le Pope is recorded in historical archives. The name was brought to America predominately by English immigrants. One of the first f…
Coat of arms: Argent, two chevronels engraile…