Show ContentsErpingghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Erpingghan is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Erpingghan 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 Erpingghan family

The surname Erpingghan 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 Erpingghan family

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

Erpingghan Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Erpingham, Erpincham, Herpingham, Herpincham, Empringham and many more.

Early Notables of the Erpingghan family

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

Migration of the Erpingghan family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Erpingghan or a variant listed above: 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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