Chapman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The ancestry of the name Chapman can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a name for a merchant. Chapman is an occupational surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Occupational surnames were derived from the primary activity of the bearer. In the Middle Ages, people did not generally live off of the fruits of their labor in a particular job. Rather, they performed a specialized task, as well as farming, for subsistence. Other occupational names were derived from an object associated with a particular activity. The surname Chapman is derived from the Old English word ceapman, which means merchant. 1 Therefore, this surname would have been taken by someone whose primary occupation was that of a merchant. The earliest record of someone bearing the surname Chapman in England was in Cambridgeshire, prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early Origins of the Chapman family

The surname Chapman was first found in Cambridgeshire, but early rolls proved the widespread use of the name, By example, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Thomas le Chapman in Leicestershire and Grante le Chapman in Devon; the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had entries for the surname and as a trade, Alicia Shepshank, chapman; Agnes Chapman; Magota de Brandon, chapman; and Henricus Schapman. 2

"From Kent to the North Riding the descendants of the ancient travelling merchants, or "cheap - men" (Anglo - Saxon Ce'apman) occur in singularly constant numbers. Their preference for the coast counties would seem to show that their travels were sometimes on the seas; yet it would also appear that the attractions of the great metropolis brought them together in numbers in the south - eastern counties. Kent stands foremost as their present abode. " 3

To the north in Scotland, the earliest "ocurrence of the name seems to be in 1296 when a pardon was granted to a man for causing the death of Ralph Chepman in Dundee." 4 A few years later, William Chapman was provost of Aberdeen in 1327 and is probably the Willelmus dictus Chapman who appears on an inquisition in the same town in 1333. Hugh called Chepman held a land in fee in the town of Roxburgh in 1338 and King David II granted a charter of the lands of Rotherstoun near Dee to Duncan Chapman. 4

Walter Chepman (1473?-1538?), was a Scottish printer, burgess and merchant in Edinburgh. "The years of Chepman's birth and death are not precisely known, probably 1473-1538. His name, frequently misspelt Chapman, was by himself always written and printed Chepman. He first appears in 1494, when a payment of 20l. was made to him and Stobo by the treasurer for their services as clerks in the office of the king's secretary." 5

Early History of the Chapman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chapman research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1359, 1367, 1387, 1396, 1507, 1559, 1616, 1621, 1634, 1780, 1853 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Chapman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chapman Spelling Variations

Chapman has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Chapman have been found, including Chapman, Chappman, Chepman, Cheppman and others.

Early Notables of the Chapman family

Distinguished members of the family include

Chapman World Ranking

In the United States, the name Chapman is the 209th most popular surname with an estimated 124,350 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Chapman is ranked the 291st most popular surname with an estimated 14,951 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Chapman is the 641st popular surname with an estimated 69 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Chapman as 86th with 27,635 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Chapman as 148th with 3,333 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Chapman as 77th with 58,077 people. 11

Migration of the Chapman family to Ireland

Some of the Chapman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 119 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Chapman migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Chapmans to arrive on North American shores:

Chapman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Chapman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Chapman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Chapman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Chapman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Chapman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Chapman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Chapman migration to Australia +

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

Chapman Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Chapman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Chapman migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Chapman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Chapman migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Chapman Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Chapman (post 1700) +


The Chapman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Crescit sub pondere virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue thrives under oppression.


Suggested Readings for the name Chapman +
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