Show ContentsEarpincham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Earpincham was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Earpincham family lived in Norfolk. The name, however, derives from the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Herpingham, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Earpincham family

The surname Earpincham was first found in Norfolk where they were conjecturally descended from Roger Bigod, one of the most distinguished of all Norman nobles, who was granted the lands by King William, Duke of Normandy after the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D, and was a junior branch of the Bigots. The village of Erpingham or anciently Herpincham consisted largely of a church and cottages, and was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. "The church, which is in the decorated and later English styles, with a lofty embattled tower, was repaired in 1841; in the south aisle is a brass effigy of a knight in armour, to the memory of Sir John de Erpingham, a great contributor towards the erection of the church." 1

Early History of the Earpincham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Earpincham research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Earpincham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Earpincham Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Earpincham has been recorded under many different variations, including Erpingham, Erpincham, Herpingham, Herpincham, Empringham and many more.

Early Notables of the Earpincham family

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

Migration of the Earpincham family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Earpinchams were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Thomas Erpingham settled in Barbados in 1685.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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