Eppley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The name Eppley is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in one of the places called Apperley in Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Northumberland. There is also an Apperley Bridge in the West Riding of Yorkshire. 1 2

Apperley in Gloucestershire is the oldest as it dates back to 1200 when it was known as Apperleg. Literally the place name means "wood or clearing where apple trees grow," from the Old English "apuldor" + "leah." 3

Early Origins of the Eppley family

The surname Eppley was first found in Gloucestershire where Richard de Apperleee was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1221. A few years later, Thomas de Apperleye was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire c. 1280. 1

John de Apperleghe was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III) 4 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included William de Appert, Oxfordshire. 5

"Apperley is an old Herefordshire surname, probably derived from the hamlet of that name in the neighbouring county of Gloucester. There were Apperleys in Linton 200 years ago, and during the reign of Charles II. Thomas Apperley, gent., lived at Eaton Tregose. In the last century, a gentle family of Apperley resided in Withington (D.). At present the Apperleys are mostly gathered together in the vicinity of Hereford, but there are still representatives of the name in Withington." 6

Early History of the Eppley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eppley research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1952 is included under the topic Early Eppley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eppley 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 Eppley were recorded, including Appaleigh, Apperley, Apperly, Applegh, Appeley, Appley, Apply, Epperley, Epperleigh, Eppley and many more.

Early Notables of the Eppley family

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

Eppley migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Eppley family emigrate to North America:

Eppley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

J.K. Eppley, aged 35, who settled in America, in 1905
M. J. Eppley, who landed in America, in 1908
C. Dean Eppley, aged 26, who immigrated to America, in 1908
Maurice J. Eppley, who immigrated to the United States, in 1910
Morris Eppley, aged 42, who landed in America, in 1910
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Eppley (post 1700) +

Geary Francis "Swede" Eppley (1895-1978), American university administrator, professor and agronomist
Eugene C. "Gene" Eppley (1884-1958), American hotel magnate in Omaha, Nebraska, eponym of Eppley Airfield and founder of the Eugene C. Eppley Foundation
Cody Allen Eppley (b. 1985), American Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees
Marion Jay Eppley (b. 1907), prominent American business executive in Louisiana, for such companies as Texaco and Domar
John L. Eppley, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 1923-32 (acting, 1923-24)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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.
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.