Clapson Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Clapson come from its first bearer, who was a person with large features or who was rather ungainly. The surname was originally derived from the Old English word clop, which literally means clump.

Clapson Early Origins

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The surname Clapson was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat with estates in the shire. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name is claimed to be descended from an ancient Danish noble who attended the court of King Canute, Osgod Clapa. Succeeding to this noble was Simon Clapp who is recorded in 1207 in Oxfordshire. The name is said, indirectly, to have lent its origin to many in the area such as Clapton, Clapham and Clapshaw.

Clapson Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Clapson has been spelled many different ways, including Clapson, Clappson, Clappison, Clappeson, Clapison, Clapeson and many more.

Clapson Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clapson research. Another 280 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1207, 1273, 1455, and 1487 are included under the topic Early Clapson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clapson Early Notables (pre 1700)

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

The Great Migration

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Clapsons to arrive in North America:

Clapson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Clapson, who arrived in America in 1885
James Clapson, who arrived in America in 1885 ^[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)

Clapson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Alfred Clapson, aged 21, a gardener, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Maraval" in 1879

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Citations

^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)

Other References

Hitching, F.K and S. Hitching. References to English Surnames in 1601-1602. Walton On Thames: 1910. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0181-3).
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds. Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8).
Hanks, Hodges, Mills and Room. The Oxford Names Companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-19-860561-7).
Innes, Thomas and Learney. The Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland 1st Edition. Edinburgh: W & A. K. Johnston Limited, 1938. Print.
Browning, Charles H. Americans of Royal Descent. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
Burke, Sir Bernard. General Armory Of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Ramsbury: Heraldry Today. Print.
Matthews, John. Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. London: John Matthews, 1911. Print.
Dunkling, Leslie. Dictionary of Surnames. Toronto: Collins, 1998. Print. (ISBN 0004720598).
Thirsk, Joan. The Agrarian History of England and Wales. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 7 Volumes. Print.
Chadwick, Nora Kershaw and J.X.W.P Corcoran. The Celts. London: Penguin, 1790. Print. (ISBN 0140212116).
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The Clapson Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Clapson Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 9 January 2015 at 19:10.