Epp History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The name Epp first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived near one or more notable aspen trees. The surname Epp is derived from the Old English word æpse, which means aspen. The surname may also be a nickname in jest, for a timid person, referring to the trembling leaves of the tree. 1

However, one source notes that name may be "a genitive form of Ape or Appe; a personal name, ante [(before)]1066 [and in the] Domesday Book. " 2

Early Origins of the Epp family

The surname Epp was first found in Huntingdonshire where the singular name Eppe was recorded c. 1250. A few years later, Roger Eppe was listed in Norfolk according to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. The name could have originated at Epps Farm in Bentley, Warwickshire. 3

Early History of the Epp family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Epp research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1327, 1524, 1534, 1604, 1628, 1658, 1779, 1787, 1805, 1815, 1823, 1833, 1845, 1869 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Epp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Epp Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Epp has appeared include Apps, Apse, Abbs, Abb, App, Apsey, Epps, Ebbs, Epsey, Epp and many more.

Early Notables of the Epp family

More information is included under the topic Early Epp Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Epp Ranking

In the United States, the name Epp is the 10,362^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Epp migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Epp arrived in North America very early:

Epp Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Peter Epp, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1869 5
Hyacinth Epp, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1873 5
Henry Epp, aged 16, who arrived in Nebraska in 1874 5
Hrch Epp, aged 23, who landed in New York, NY in 1874 5
Johann Epp, aged 6, who landed in Nebraska in 1874 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Epp migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Epp Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Cornelius Epp, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
David Epp, aged 11, who arrived in Quebec in 1893
Frank Epp, aged 40, who landed in Quebec in 1893
Gergard Epp, aged 28, who landed in Quebec in 1893
Heinrich Epp, aged 9, who landed in Quebec in 1893
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Epp (post 1700) +

Theodore Epp (1907-1985), American Christian clergyman, writer and radio evangelist, founding director of the Back to the Bible radio broadcast
Susanna S. Epp (b. 1943), American mathematician
Robert Epp (b. 1926), American translator of Japanese literature into English
Phil Epp (b. 1946), American artist from Henderson, Nebraska
Reuben Epp (1920-2009), Canadian author of works in Mennonite Low German
Leon Epp (1905-1968), Austrian music director, theatre director and actor
Marvin Kenneth "Ken" Epp (b. 1939), Canadian politician, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Sherwood Park (1993-2004)
Josef Epp (1920-1989), Austrian footballer who competed at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games
Arthur Jacob "Jake" Epp (b. 1939), Canadian executive and former politician, Chancellor of Tyndale University College and Seminary (2005-2009)
Herbert Arnold "Herb" Epp (1934-2013), Canadian politician, Mayor of Waterloo, Ontario (2003-2006)
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Epp 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: In Te Domine Speravi
Motto Translation: In thee, O Lord, I have placed my hope.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)