Show ContentsApplin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Applin surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from the given name Appeline. Appeline was a popular girl's name. "This was the usual English form of Appolonia, a martyr at Alexandria, who, among other tortures, had all her teeth beaten out It was a popular girl's name, and survived the Reformation. " 1

Early Origins of the Applin family

The surname Applin was first found in Kent, where the first on record was Thomas Abelyn who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 1

"The Aplins, who are now well established in the Chard district, [Somerset] were represented in Glastonbury and other parts of the county 200 years ago. " 2

Early History of the Applin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Applin research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1295, 1547, 1623, 1734, 1753, 1802 and 1817 are included under the topic Early Applin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Applin Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Applin are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Applin include: Applin, Appling, Applyn, Abelyn, Aplyon, Aplin and others.

Early Notables of the Applin family

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

Applin Ranking

In the United States, the name Applin is the 14,695th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3


United States Applin migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Applin or a variant listed above:

Applin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Applin, who landed in Massachusetts in 1725 4
  • Robert Applin went to America in 1764
Applin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Applin to Philadelphia in 1868
  • S. Applin, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
  • Arthur Applin, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1896
  • Sidney Applin, aged 27, who settled in America from London, in 1897
Applin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mary Applin, aged 53, who settled in America from London, in 1906
  • Charles Frederik Applin, aged 18, who immigrated to America from Guernsey, in 1906
  • Edgar P. Applin, aged 29, who landed in America from Southampton, in 1906
  • Nancy Applin, aged 24, who landed in America from Guernsey, Channel Islands, in 1907
  • Edyth Olive Applin, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Applin migration to Australia +

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

Applin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Applin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1848 5

New Zealand Applin 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:

Applin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Arthur C. Applin, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cape Finisterre" in 1879

Contemporary Notables of the name Applin (post 1700) +

  • Reginald Vincent Kempenfelt Applin DSO, OBE (1869-1957), British military officer who took a prominent part in the development of machine gun tactics in the British Army, eldest son of Captain Vincent Jesson Applin, Military Train, of "Exeview", Alphington, near Exeter


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. 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)
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FORFARSHIRE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Forfarshire.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook