There are at several possible sources of the Sapeta surname including: 1) indigenous - from the Polish verb sapać (to gasp, be out of breath), in which case sapeta, sapacz, sapała, sapak, sapaka, sapuś, sapol and probably a few more would be colloquial for gasper (someone who breathes heavily, wheezes, gasps for air, etc.); 2) Indigenous toponymic nickname from such Polish localities as Sapy, Sapice or Sapałówka (Gasperville, Wheezeton); and 3) The Iberian (Portuguese) connection already mentioned in this forum. Occasionally Polish names coincide with those of different nationalities but mean something totally different, eg Posada (in Polish -- a prestigious, good-paying position, in Spanish -- an inn).
It cannot be ruled out that different Sapetas got their name from different sources. There are additional sources of this surname as well.
It cannot be ruled out that different Sapetas got their name from different sources. There are additional sources of this surname as well.