Chapman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestry of the name Chapman can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a name for a merchant. Chapman is an occupational surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Occupational surnames were derived from the primary activity of the bearer. In the Middle Ages, people did not generally live off of the fruits of their labor in a particular job. Rather, they performed a specialized task, as well as farming, for subsistence. Other occupational names were derived from an object associated with a particular activity. The surname Chapman is derived from the Old English word ceapman, which means merchant. 1 Therefore, this surname would have been taken by someone whose primary occupation was that of a merchant. The earliest record of someone bearing the surname Chapman in England was in Cambridgeshire, prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early Origins of the Chapman family

The surname Chapman was first found in Cambridgeshire, but early rolls proved the widespread use of the name, By example, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Thomas le Chapman in Leicestershire and Grante le Chapman in Devon; the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had entries for the surname and as a trade, Alicia Shepshank, chapman; Agnes Chapman; Magota de Brandon, chapman; and Henricus Schapman. 2

"From Kent to the North Riding the descendants of the ancient travelling merchants, or "cheap - men" (Anglo - Saxon Ce'apman) occur in singularly constant numbers. Their preference for the coast counties would seem to show that their travels were sometimes on the seas; yet it would also appear that the attractions of the great metropolis brought them together in numbers in the south - eastern counties. Kent stands foremost as their present abode. " 3

To the north in Scotland, the earliest "ocurrence of the name seems to be in 1296 when a pardon was granted to a man for causing the death of Ralph Chepman in Dundee." 4 A few years later, William Chapman was provost of Aberdeen in 1327 and is probably the Willelmus dictus Chapman who appears on an inquisition in the same town in 1333. Hugh called Chepman held a land in fee in the town of Roxburgh in 1338 and King David II granted a charter of the lands of Rotherstoun near Dee to Duncan Chapman. 4

Walter Chepman (1473?-1538?), was a Scottish printer, burgess and merchant in Edinburgh. "The years of Chepman's birth and death are not precisely known, probably 1473-1538. His name, frequently misspelt Chapman, was by himself always written and printed Chepman. He first appears in 1494, when a payment of 20l. was made to him and Stobo by the treasurer for their services as clerks in the office of the king's secretary." 5

Early History of the Chapman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chapman research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1359, 1367, 1387, 1396, 1507, 1559, 1616, 1621, 1634, 1780, 1853 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Chapman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chapman Spelling Variations

Chapman has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Chapman have been found, including Chapman, Chappman, Chepman, Cheppman and others.

Early Notables of the Chapman family

Distinguished members of the family include

Sir John Chapman of Westhampnett, Sussex
George Chapman (1559-1634) was an English poet, scholar, playwright, and translator. He was best remembered for the first English translation of the works of Homer. In 1616 he published "the Whole Wor...
Nathaniel Chapman (1780-1853), was a well-known early American physician

Chapman World Ranking

In the United States, the name Chapman is the 209^th most popular surname with an estimated 124,350 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Chapman is ranked the 291^st most popular surname with an estimated 14,951 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Chapman is the 641^st popular surname with an estimated 69 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Chapman as 86^th with 27,635 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Chapman as 148^th with 3,333 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Chapman as 77^th with 58,077 people. 11

Migration of the Chapman family to Ireland

Some of the Chapman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 119 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chapman migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Chapmans to arrive on North American shores:

Chapman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Francis Chapman, who arrived in Virginia in 1608 aboard the ship "Starr" 12
Thomas Chapman, who arrived in Virginia in 1610 aboard the ship "Tryall/Triall" 12
Mrs. Ann Chapman, who landed in Virginia in 1617 aboard the ship "George" 12
Nicholas Chapman, aged 31, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Jonathan" 12
Phillip Chapman, aged 23, who landed in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Flying Hart" 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chapman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary Chapman, who landed in Virginia in 1701 12
Charles, Chapman Jr., who landed in Virginia in 1702 12
Anne Chapman, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 12
Benja Chapman, who landed in Virginia in 1714 12
Thomas Chapman, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chapman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William T Chapman, aged 24, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 12
Jonathan Chapman, aged 23, who landed in Maryland in 1813 12
Philip Chapman, who landed in New York, NY in 1817 12
Joseph Chapman, who arrived in America in 1823 12
Geo Chapman, aged 7, who arrived in America in 1829 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chapman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. John Thomas Chapman, (b. 1873), aged 27, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th August 1900 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 13
Mr. William Chapman, (b. 1866), aged 35, English miner travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd March 1901 en route to the United States 13
Mr. Samuel Chapman, (b. 1880), aged 23, Cornish farmer travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th March 1903 en route to New York, USA 13
Mr. Stephen Chapman, (b. 1885), aged 19, English miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th April 1904 en route to the United States 13
Mrs. Lydia Chapman, (b. 1872), aged 32, English settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th March 1904 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chapman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Chapman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Jason Chapman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Gideon Chapman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Win Chapman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Stephen Chapman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1761
William Chapman, aged 44, who landed in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1774
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chapman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Thomas C Chapman, who landed in Canada in 1831

Chapman migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Chapman Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Robert Chapman, English convict who was convicted in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1815 14

Chapman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Chapman, British Convict who was convicted for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Robert Chapman, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Henry Chapman, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. John Chapman, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Miles Chapman, (b. 1769), aged 46, English game keeper who was convicted in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1829 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chapman 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:

Chapman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Alexander Chapman, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1833 18
Henry Chapman, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
Mr. Chapman, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Earl Durham" arriving in New Zealand in 1837 18
Mrs. Chapman, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Earl Durham" arriving in New Zealand in 1837 18
R Chapman, who landed in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1838
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chapman migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Chapman Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. George Chapman, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
Mr. Richard Chapman, (b. 1595), aged 40, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
Mr. John Chapman, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 21
Henry Chapman, who settled in Jamaica in 1684

Contemporary Notables of the name Chapman (post 1700) +

Tracy Chapman (b. 1964), American four-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, best known for her hit singles "Fast Car" and "Give Me One Reason"
Matthew James "Matt" Chapman (b. 1993), American Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent, former player for the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays
Duane Chapman (b. 1953), also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, an American television personality, bounty hunter, and former bail bondsman
Emmett Chapman (1936-2021), American jazz musician and inventor of the Chapman Stick and the Chapman Stick family of instruments
Ron Chapman (1936-2021), American radio broadcaster with KVIL, Highland Park and Dallas, Texas
Michael Crawford Chapman A.S.C. (1935-2020), American cinematographer and film director who filmed more than forty feature films
Alice Elizabeth Chapman (1967-2019), née Smith, an American bounty hunter and reality star, wife of Duane "Dog" Chapman
David Chapman (1975-2017), American number one ranked player in the sport of American handball
Major-General Elbridge Gerry Jr. Chapman (1895-1954), American Commandant of the Parachute School (1946) 22
Mark David Chapman (b. 1955), American convicted murderer of John Lennon
... (Another 24 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Chapman family +

Frank Rock Slide

Mr. Joseph Chapman, Canadian miner working in the town of Frank, Alberta who survived the Frank Rock Slide on 29th April 1903 23

Fraterville mine

Mr. John C. Chapman (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Mr. Charles John Chapman (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Mr. Scott Chapman (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24

Halifax Explosion

Ms Johanna Chapman, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
Mr. Harry Chapman, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
Mr. William Chapman (1898-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25

Hillsborough disaster

Raymond Thomas Chapman (1938-1989), English machine setter who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 26

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. William Roy Chapman (1920-1941), Australian Stoker from Willoughby, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
Mr. Neville Owen Chapman (1922-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27

HMS Hood

Mr. James A Chapman (b. 1900), English Commissioned Gunner serving for the Royal Navy from Alverstoke, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Albert Leonard Chapman, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29

HMS Repulse

Mr. Charles Edwin Chapman, British Air Mechanician 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 30

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. John Chapman (b. 1843), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 31

RMS Lusitania

Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth Chapman, Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 32

RMS Titanic

Mr. Joseph Charles Chapman, aged 32, English Boots from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 9 33
Mr. Charles Henry Chapman (d. 1912), aged 52, American Second Class passenger from Bronx, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 33
Mr. John Henry Chapman (d. 1912), aged 36, English Second Class passenger from Liskeard, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 33
Mrs. Sara Elizabeth Chapman (d. 1912), (née Lawry), aged 28, English Second Class passenger from Liskeard, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 33

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. John Chapman (b. 1871), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

SS Atlantic

Mr. John Chapman, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. Noel B. Chapman, American Seaman Second Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 34
Mr. Naaman N. Chapman, American Seaman First Class from Nebraska, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 34

The Chapman 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: Crescit sub pondere virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue thrives under oppression.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. 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.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 3) Elbridge Chapman. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Chapman/Elbridge_Gerry_Jr./USA.html
Calgary Herald news article retrieved 11th August 2021. Retrieved from https://smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital/calgaryherald/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Calgary_Herald_Thu__Apr_30__1903_-copy-scaled.jpg
News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html