Show ContentsChip History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Chip is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a carpenter, from the wood chips that festooned a carpenter's hair and body. 1

Early Origins of the Chip family

The surname Chip was first found in Worcestershire, where Isabella Chippes was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1275. In Somerset John Chip was found there in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327. 2 Alan de Chepe was found in Devon in 1311 and later William Chepe was listed at Sheffield in 1369. 1

Early History of the Chip family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chip research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1327, 1531, 1606, 1620, 1767, 1823, 1844, 1856, 1862 and 1886 are included under the topic Early Chip History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chip Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Chip were recorded, including Chipp, Chip, Chyppe, Chypp, Chips, Chipps, Chippes, Chippe, Chipet, Chipman, Chippman and many more.

Early Notables of the Chip family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Edmund Thomas Chipp, eldest son of the late...
  • Chipp (well known as the player of the 'Tower drums'), born Christmas Day, 1823, educated in her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St...
  • Chipp was chosen to succeed him as organist and retained the appointment until the close of that institution...


New Zealand Chip 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:

Chip Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Lucy Chip, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Martaban" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1856 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Chip (post 1700) +

  • Curtis Chip Kell (b. 1949), American former center in the CFL, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006
  • Chip Luter (b. 1985), American Baptist minister, son of Fred Luter
  • Chip Wass (b. 1965), American illustrator, designer, and animator
  • Chip Hooper (1962-2016), American music industry agent
  • Chip Conley (b. 1960), American hotelier, founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality
  • Chip Walbert, American guitarist, best known for his work with Until The End, Where Fear and Weapons Meet, and Destro
  • Chip Hourihan, American film producer and director
  • Chip Arndt (b. 1966), American gay activist, best known as a winner of The Amazing Race 4
  • Chip Kidd (b. 1964), American author, editor, and graphic designer
  • Chip Jett (b. 1974), American professional poker player


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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