Chapmen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The Anglo-Saxons of Britain first developed the name Chapmen. It was a name given to someone who was a merchant. Chapmen is an occupational surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Occupational surnames were derived from the primary activity of the bearer. In the Middle Ages, people did not generally live off of the fruits of their labor in a particular job. Rather, they performed a specialized task, as well as farming, for subsistence. Other occupational names were derived from an object associated with a particular activity. The surname Chapmen is derived from the Old English word ceapman, which means merchant. 1 Therefore, this surname would have been taken by someone whose primary occupation was that of a merchant. The earliest record of someone bearing the surname Chapmen in England was in Cambridgeshire, prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early Origins of the Chapmen family

The surname Chapmen was first found in Cambridgeshire, but early rolls proved the widespread use of the name, By example, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Thomas le Chapman in Leicestershire and Grante le Chapman in Devon; the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had entries for the surname and as a trade, Alicia Shepshank, chapman; Agnes Chapman; Magota de Brandon, chapman; and Henricus Schapman. 2

"From Kent to the North Riding the descendants of the ancient travelling merchants, or "cheap - men" (Anglo - Saxon Ce'apman) occur in singularly constant numbers. Their preference for the coast counties would seem to show that their travels were sometimes on the seas; yet it would also appear that the attractions of the great metropolis brought them together in numbers in the south - eastern counties. Kent stands foremost as their present abode. " 3

To the north in Scotland, the earliest "ocurrence of the name seems to be in 1296 when a pardon was granted to a man for causing the death of Ralph Chepman in Dundee." 4 A few years later, William Chapman was provost of Aberdeen in 1327 and is probably the Willelmus dictus Chapman who appears on an inquisition in the same town in 1333. Hugh called Chepman held a land in fee in the town of Roxburgh in 1338 and King David II granted a charter of the lands of Rotherstoun near Dee to Duncan Chapman. 4

Walter Chepman (1473?-1538?), was a Scottish printer, burgess and merchant in Edinburgh. "The years of Chepman's birth and death are not precisely known, probably 1473-1538. His name, frequently misspelt Chapman, was by himself always written and printed Chepman. He first appears in 1494, when a payment of 20l. was made to him and Stobo by the treasurer for their services as clerks in the office of the king's secretary." 5

Early History of the Chapmen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chapmen research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1359, 1367, 1387, 1396, 1507, 1559, 1616, 1621, 1634, 1780, 1853 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Chapmen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chapmen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Chapmen have been found, including Chapman, Chappman, Chepman, Cheppman and others.

Early Notables of the Chapmen family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Chapman of Westhampnett, Sussex. George Chapman (1559-1634) was an English poet, scholar, playwright, and translator. He was best remembered for...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chapmen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chapmen family to Ireland

Some of the Chapmen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 119 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chapmen family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Chapmen, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: Francis Chapman, who settled in Virginia in 1623; followed by Anne in 1623; Benjamin in 1674. George Chapman, who settled in Barbados in 1635; Henry Chapman, who settled in Jamaica in 1684.

The Chapmen Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Crescit sub pondere virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue thrives under oppression.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print