Show ContentsIpper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Ipper family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes 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 Ipper family

The surname Ipper 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 Ipper family

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

Ipper Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Ipper include Hipkin, Hippkin, Hipken, Hippken, Hipkins, Hipkens, Hippe, Hipp and many more.

Early Notables of the Ipper family

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

Migration of the Ipper family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Ipper were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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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