Estep History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The distinguished and ancient surname Estep is of two possible origins. Firstly, it is derived from "Easthope," the name of a village located in Shropshire, on the Welsh border. Alternatively, the name is Old English in origin, deriving from the word "esthop," meaning "dweller in the eastern valley." 1
Early Origins of the Estep family
The surname Estep was first found in County Suffolk, where William del Estope was living in 1185. In this instance, the name was likely derived from the Old English word "esthop." A later bearer was John de Esthop, who was listed in the Rotuli Hundredorum of Shropshire in 1275. 1 It is likely that in this case, the name was derived from the name of the village of Easthope in Shropshire.
The parish of Easthope in Shropshire dates back to Saxon times as the first record of the parish was in 901 when it was listed with the same spelling as today: Easthope. Ironically, by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the parish was known simply as Stope. 2 Literally the place names means "eastern enclosed valley," from the Old English "east" + "hop." 3
Early History of the Estep family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Estep research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1603 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Estep History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Estep Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Estep has been recorded under many different variations, including Easthop, Esthop, Estep, Estop, Estap, Estope, Esthope and many more.
Early Notables of the Estep family
More information is included under the topic Early Estep Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Estep Ranking
In the United States, the name Estep is the 2,619th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 4
Estep migration to the United States +
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Estep or a variant listed above:
Estep Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Richard Estep, who emigrated from Middlesex to Maryland in 1684
Estep Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Evan Estep, aged 43, who immigrated to the United States, in 1907
- Rita G Estep, aged 41, who immigrated to America, in 1907
- Arthur C. Estep, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States, in 1912
- Edith Estep, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1912
- Harvey Cole Estep, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1921
Contemporary Notables of the name Estep (post 1700) +
- Merlin Estep, American Republican politician, Candidate for Oregon State Attorney General, 1964 5
- Lloyd J. Estep, American Republican politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives from Christian County; Elected 1954; Candidate in primary for Missouri State Senate 29th District, 1964 5
- Kathleen M. Estep, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1996, 2000 5
- Joseph H. Estep, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 11th District, 1853-54 5
- J. M. Estep, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1876 5
- Harry Allison Estep (1884-1968), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1920, 1944; U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 35th District, 1927-33 5
- William Roscoe Estep (1920-2000), American Baptist historian and professor
- Preston W. Estep III, American biologist
- Maggie Estep (1962-2014), American poet and writer
- Joanna Estep, American illustrator, writer and cartoonist
- ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Historic Events for the Estep family +
USS Arizona
- Mr. Carl James Estep, American Seaman First Class from Texas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 6
Suggested Readings for the name Estep +
- The Estep/Eastep Genealogy Estep/Eastep/Estepp/Esteb/Eastepp/Eastup by Jane Farrell Burgess.
Citations +
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html