Slape History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Slape surname is thought to be a habitational name taken from any of the several places so named, such as Slape in Dorset or Sleap in Shropshire. 1 2 The word "slape" comes from Middle English, and means a "slippery" or "miry" place."

Alternatively, the name could have been occupational for a "sword-slyper, a cutler, one whose principal work was to whet swords. " 3 "Slyper is the name of a diamond-cutter in London. Hence no doubt the surname Sleeper. " 4

Early Origins of the Slape family

The surname Slape was first found in Kent where John le Slepere was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1212. A few years later, Hugh le Slepere was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1232. 5

In Oxfordshire, we found Simon le Slepar in the Hundredorum Rolls for 1273. 2 All these entries point to the occupational nature of the name at that time.

Later, Johannes Slipar was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 2

Early History of the Slape family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Slape research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1276, 1574, 1600, 1729 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Slape History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Slape Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Slape, Sleep, Sleap, Slape, Slepe, Sleip, Sleape, Sleapa, Sleeper and many more.

Early Notables of the Slape family

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

Slape Ranking

In the United States, the name Slape is the 13,159^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6

Slape migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Slape Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Slape, an emigrant in bondage, who arrived in Maryland in 1738

Slape migration to Australia +

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

Slape Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Jane Slape, aged 17, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Mary Green" 7
William Slape, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "William Stuart" 8
Thomas Slape (aged 23), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Aliquis"
Mr. Thomas Slape, (b. 1833), aged 23, English labourer from Somerset, England, UKtravelling from Plymouth, Devon, UK aboard the ship "Aliquis" arriving in Adelaide, Australia on 26th August 1856 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Slape (post 1700) +

Harry L. Slape, American politician, Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1880 10

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
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.
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. 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/
South Australian Register Monday 20 June 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MARY GREEN 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/marygreen1853.shtml
South Australian Register Friday 15 July 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) William Stuart 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamstuart1853.shtml
The Ships List Passenger Lists Ship Aliquis (Retrieved 26th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/aliquis1856.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html