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Epps History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Epps History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The ancestors of the name Epps date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence near one or more notable aspen trees. The surname Epps is derived from the Old English word æpse, which means aspen. The surname may also be a nickname in jest, for a timid person, referring to the trembling leaves of the tree. 1

However, one source notes that name may be "a genitive form of Ape or Appe; a personal name, ante [(before)]1066 [and in the] Domesday Book. " 2

Early Origins of the Epps family

The surname Epps was first found in Huntingdonshire where the singular name Eppe was recorded c. 1250. A few years later, Roger Eppe was listed in Norfolk according to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. The name could have originated at Epps Farm in Bentley, Warwickshire. 3

Early History of the Epps family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Epps research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1327, 1524, 1534, 1604, 1628, 1658, 1779, 1787, 1805, 1815, 1823, 1833, 1845, 1869 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Epps History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Epps Spelling Variations

Epps 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 Epps have been found, including Apps, Apse, Abbs, Abb, App, Apsey, Epps, Ebbs, Epsey, Epp and many more.

Early Notables of the Epps family

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

Epps Ranking

In the United States, the name Epps is the 1,534^th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 4

Epps 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 Eppss to arrive on North American shores:

Epps Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mrs. Epps, who landed in Virginia in 1623 5
Peter Epps, who landed in Virginia in 1623 5
William Epps, who landed in Virginia in 1623 5
Elizabeth Epps, aged 13, British settler who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Abigail" 5

Epps Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margarethe Epps, aged 17, who arrived in New York, NY in 1876 5
Peter Epps, who landed in New York with his wife and five children in 1876

Epps migration to Australia +

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

Epps Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Moses Epps, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Buckinghamshire" in 1839 6
Miss Mary Ann Epps, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

Epps 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:

Epps Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Epps, aged 32, a gardener, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Mary Epps, aged 32, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Eliza Epps, aged 7, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
George Epps, aged 5, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
Martha Ann Epps, aged 3, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Epps (post 1700) +

JoAnne A. Epps (1951-2023), American law professor, legal author, and acting president of Temple University. She formerly served as the executive vice president and provost of the university
Shareeka Epps (b. 1989), award-winning American actress 8
Sheldon Epps (b. 1952), American television and theatre director 9
Omar Hashim Epps (b. 1973), American actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer 10
Garrett Epps (b. 1950), American legal scholar, novelist, and journalist 11
Jeanette J. Epps (b. 1970), American CIA intelligence officer, and NASA astronaut candidate 12
Michael Eugene "Mike" Epps (b. 1970), American actor, producer, writer, stand-up comedian, and singer 13
Ralph Dickson Epps, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Carolina, 1928; Member of South Carolina State Senate from Sumter County, 1935-38
David C. Epps, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Oregon, 1940, 1952; Oregon Democratic State Chair, 1958
Cindy H. Epps, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Carolina, 2008
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Epps family +

Flight TWA 800

Miss. Lois Rose Van Epps (1938-1996), from New York, USA, American English teacher flying aboard flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 14

The Epps 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: In Te Domine Speravi
Motto Translation: In thee, O Lord, I have placed my hope.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Buckinghamshire.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
Shareeka Epps. (Retrieved 2011, January 18) Shareeka Epps. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shareeka_Epps
Sheldon Epps. (Retrieved 2011, January 18) Sheldon Epps. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Epps
Omar Epps. (Retrieved 2011, January 18) Omar Epps. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Epps
Garrett Epps. (Retrieved 2011, January 18) Garrett Epps. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrett_Epps
NASA Astronauts Homepage. (Retrieved 2011, January 18) Jeanette Epps. Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/epps-jj.html
Michael Epps. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Michael Epps. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Epps
The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm