Surname Sloop - Meaning and Origin

Sloop: What does the surname Sloop mean?

The surname Sloop is of Dutch origin and refers to the occupation of a boatman or a sailor. It comes from the Dutch word "sloep", meaning a small, single-masted sailing vessel. Just as many surnames denote the profession of the person, individuals with the surname Sloop likely had ancestors who were involved in sailing or boat-making. It was common in medieval times for people to be named after their trade or occupation. These surnames became hereditary and have been passed down through generations. Variations of the surname include Sloope, Sloops, and Sloep. In some instances, the surname could also have topographic or geographic origins, denoting someone living near a significant water body, where sloops were common.

Sloop: Where does the name Sloop come from?

The last name Sloop is most commonly found in the American South today. It has become particularly prevalent in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. According to the US census of 2010, the states of Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia accounted for a significant population share (30%, 18%, and 10% respectively).

The exact origin of the last name Sloop is unclear. It may be related to the Dutch word for ship “sloep” and may have indicated a shipwright or sailor. Alternatively, it may have derived from the Gaelic name O’Sluaghadhain which means “descendent of Sluaghadhain.”

The sloop name may have also have had a more local origin. It could have referred to a person who lived near a body of moving water such as a river or stream, as sloops were the type of boat commonly used in shallow water.

Sloop families often associated with each other, forming close-knit communities. Sloops are listed in many historical documents from the 18th century, often as members of militias. They fought in the American Revolutionary War and later in World War II. Many other Sloops became entrepreneurs, professional tradespeople, and landowners.

Today, the Sloops have maintained their strong sense of family tied to their proud and varied history in the United States. They continue to live in the Southern United States, often near the water, and have gone on to work in a variety of occupations from the military to the sciences and engineering.

Variations of the surname Sloop

The surname Sloop is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a name for a person who worked as a sailor in boats called 'sloops.' This name is sometimes referred to as simply 'Sloop', but there are several variations of the name which include: Sloup, Sloap, Slop, Sloope, Slup, Sloup, Sloope, Slep and Slopp.

In Scotland the surname is more often seen as Sloppe, while in the United States it is usually seen as Sloop. In England, it is mostly seen as Slope or Sloop, although there are other variants including Sloupe, Sloopp, Sloope and Slepp.

The German variation of the surname is "Schlup", while the Dutch variation is "Sluip". There is also a Swedish variant, "Sloop", and a Norwegian variant, "Slopp".

In Ireland, the surname is typically spelled Slape or Sloop, but there are also some other Irish variants including Slup and Slepp. There is also an Italian variant, "Sluppi", and an occasional French variant, "Sloup".

Although the spellings may vary, they are all ultimately derived from the same Anglo-Saxon root, meaning sailor. As a result, all the above variations of the surname Sloop have the same origin.

Famous people with the name Sloop

• Michael Sloop: American former basketball player who played college basketball at Princeton University and in the Continental Basketball Association.
• Thomas Sloop, Jr.: American soldier, award-winning author, and Oklahoma state senator.
• Gordon Sloop: American lawyer, artist, and former mayor of Berkeley, California.
• Robert Sloop: American lawyer, author, and former US Navy captain.
• Irvin Sloop: American musician, best known as the frontman of the band The Wonder Stuff.
• Joe Sloop: American coach, best known for being the head coach of the men’s basketball program at the University of Tennessee.
• Julie Sloop: American actress and comedian, best known for her role in the television series “The Comedians.”
• Stacy Sloop: American television producer and writer, best known for his work on the animated comedy series “Futurama.”
• Ryan Sloop: American professional skateboarder and X-Games medalist.
• Dewayne Sloop: American Olympic weightlifter, world record holder and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Other surnames

SloopeSloot