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![Show Contents]() Happingham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Happingham reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Happingham 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 Happingham familyThe surname Happingham 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 Happingham familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Happingham research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Happingham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Happingham Spelling VariationsBefore the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Happingham family name include Erpingham, Erpincham, Herpingham, Herpincham, Empringham and many more. Early Notables of the Happingham familyMore information is included under the topic Early Happingham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Happingham familyTo escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Happingham family to immigrate North America: Thomas Erpingham settled in Barbados in 1685.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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