Show ContentsNip History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Nip name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived on the peak of a hill or highland. The surname Nip is primarily familiar in the regions of Lancashire and Westmorland.

Early Origins of the Nip family

The surname Nip was first found in North Lancashire, in the Cartmel parish where much of the surname died out very early and moved to surrounding districts. 1

Early History of the Nip family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nip research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1597, 1601, 1638, 1661, 1664, 1681, 1698 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Nip History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nip Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Nip has undergone many spelling variations, including Knipe, Knype, Knypp and others.

Early Notables of the Nip family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Elizabeth Knepp or Knipp (died 1681), a British actress, singer, and dancer

Ireland Migration of the Nip family to Ireland

Some of the Nip family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nip family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Nip were among those contributors: Samuel Knipe, who sailed to St. Christopher in 1635; Samuel Knipe to America in 1699; Christian Knipe to Philadelphia in 1749; Oscar Knipe to Pennsylvania in 1851 and G.J. Knipe to San Francisco in 1860..


Contemporary Notables of the name Nip (post 1700) +

  • Nip Pellew (1893-1981), Australian cricketer


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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