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Early Origins of the People family

The surname People was first found in Normandy where they claim descent from the founders of the Carolingian monarchy, Pepin d'Heristal (c. 635-714), and Pepin le Bref (Pippin the Younger.) Both claim descent from Pepin I (also Peppin, Pipin, or Pippin) of Landen (c. 580-640), also called Pepin the Elder or the Old, was the Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia from 623 to 629.

Early History of the People family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our People research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1500, 1583, 1589, 1617, 1625, 1633, 1640, 1659, 1660, 1666, 1669, 1672, 1679, 1688, 1703 and 1825 are included under the topic Early People History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

People Spelling Variations

Huguenot surnames were only slightly Anglicized, and they remain to this day a distinct group of surnames in England. Nevertheless, Huguenot surnames have been subject to numerous spelling alterations since the names emerged in France. French surnames have a variety of spelling variations because the French language has changed drastically over the centuries. French was developed from the vernacular Latin of the Roman Empire. It is divided into three historic and linguistic periods: Old French, which developed before the 14th century; Middle French, which was used between the 14th and 16th centuries; and Modern French, which was used after the 16th century and continues to be in use today. In all of these periods, the French language was heavily influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when the barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. Huguenot names have numerous variations. The name may be spelled Pepys, Pippin, Pippy, Pepin and others.

Early Notables of the People family

Notable in the family at this time was Talbot Pepys (1583-1666), English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1625; Sir Richard Pepys (1589-1659), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Sudbury in 1640 and was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland; Roger Pepys (1617-1688), an English lawyer and politician; and Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) diarist and Admiralty official. Under the patronage of the Earl of Sandwich, his father's cousin, he rose rapidly in the naval service and became secretary to the Admiralty...
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early People Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

People Ranking

In the United States, the name People is the 13,191st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Ireland Migration of the People family to Ireland

Some of the People family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States People migration to the United States +

Study of Passenger and Immigration lists has revealed that among early immigrants bearing the People surname were:

People Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • H People, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 2

New Zealand People migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

People Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • C. People, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Viscount Canning" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name People (post 1700) +

  • People Edward Shippen (1639-1712), American politician, second mayor of Philadelphia
  • People Albert Cavens (1906-1985), Belgian-born, American silent film actor


The People 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: Mens cujusque is est quisque
Motto Translation: As the mind of each, so is the man.


Suggested Readings for the name People +

  • Cook, Caldwell, Peoples, Stuart and Other Families by David Stuart Peopl.
  • by Priester-Peeples Lives and Lives and Legends by Jane Priester Hawkins.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)


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