{{ad}} |
|
|
The Chepman name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Chepman was originally a name given to someone who worked as a merchant. Chepman 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 Chepman 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 Chepman in England was in Cambridgeshire, prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The surname Chepman 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
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
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chepman 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 Chepman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Chepman are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Chepman include: Chapman, Chappman, Chepman, Cheppman and others.
Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Chapman of Westhampnett, Sussex.
George Chapman (1559-1634) was an English poet, scholar, playwright, and translator. He was best remembered for...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chepman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Chepman or a variant listed above: Francis Chapman, who settled in Virginia in 1623; followed by Anne in 1623; Benjamin in 1674. George Chapman, who settled in Barbados in 1635; Henry Chapman, who settled in Jamaica in 1684.