Tippit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

While surnames were well-known during the English medieval period, Cornish People originally used only a single name. The way in which hereditary surnames came into common use is interesting. Under the Feudal System of government, surnames evolved and they often reflected life on the manor and in the field. Patronymic surnames were derived from given names and were the predominant type of surname among the Celtic peoples of Britain. However, the people of Cornwall provide a surprising exception to this rule, and patronymic surnames are less common among them than other people of Celtic stock, such as their Welsh neighbors. This type of surname blended perfectly with the prevailing Feudal System. One feature that is occasionally found in Cornish surnames of this type is the suffix -oe or -ow; this is derived from the Cornish plural suffix -ow. is a patronymic surname that came from the Germanic personal name Theobold, meaning bold people. 1

Early Origins of the Tippit family

The surname Tippit was first found in Cornwall in the parish of St. Wen. "Killignock was the seat of an ancient family of this name, by whose heiress it was carried in the reign of Henry VIII. to Nanskevil alias Typpet, with whom it remained until the reign of Charles II, when it was sold by Matthew Typpet to Mr. Joseph Hawkey." 2

Early History of the Tippit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tippit research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1660, 1664, 1668, 1672 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Tippit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tippit Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Tippett, Tippet, Tippetts and others.

Early Notables of the Tippit family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Tipper (1616-1713), an English mathematician and almanac-maker, now known as the founder of The Ladies' Diary. 3Sir John Tippets was Master-Shipwright in Portsmouth, England (1660-1668), and later became...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tippit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tippit family

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Tippit: John Tippet who settled in Jamaica in 1654; Sara Tippett settled in Virginia in 1653; John Tippets arrived in Philadelphia in 1851; Mary Tippet settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in 1809..

Contemporary Notables of the name Tippit (post 1700) +

J.D. Tippit (1924-1963), American policeman who was shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
Peter Tippit, American vice president of research and technology for Verizon Business Security Solutions
Jack Tippit, American cartoonist, recipient of the National Cartoonist Society Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award (1970)
Will C. Tippit, American politician, Mayor of McAlester, Oklahoma, 1937

The Tippit 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: Non robore sed spe
Motto Translation: Not with strength but with hope.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print