Show ContentsIpkin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ipkin has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the son of Herbert. 1 In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Ipkin family

The surname Ipkin was first found in Norfolk and Suffolk, where the name was derived from "Hib and diminutive Hib-kin, sharpened to Hip and Hipkin." 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 provide some of the earliest entries of early forms of the name: Hyppe (without surname), Norfolk; John Hyppe, Norfolk; and Lucia Hippo, Suffolk. 1 Another source notes Lefsius Hippe as being listed in the same rolls in Suffolk and John Hipecok in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1243. 2

Early History of the Ipkin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ipkin research. Another 43 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273 and 1646 are included under the topic Early Ipkin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ipkin Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Ipkin include Hipkin, Hippkin, Hipken, Hippken, Hipkins, Hipkens, Hippe, Hipp and many more.

Early Notables of the Ipkin family

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

Migration of the Ipkin family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Mary Hipkins, who sailed to Barbados in 1679; John Hipp to Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1772; M. Hipkins to Baltimore, Maryland in 1822 and Bernard Hipp to Philadelphia in 1850..



  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. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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