The name Epp first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived near one or more notable aspen trees. The surname Epp is derived from the Old English word æpse, which means aspen. The surname may also be a nickname in jest, for a timid person, referring to the trembling leaves of the tree. [1]
However, one source notes that name may be "a genitive form of Ape or Appe; a personal name, ante [(before)]1066 [and in the] Domesday Book. " [2]
The surname Epp was first found in the county of Middlesex in southern England where they held a family seat from very ancient times. During the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, unlike many Saxon families, bearers of this name managed to hold onto much of their holdings and these are recorded in the Domesday Book, [3] a census taken in 1086 by King William of all land holders.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Epp research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1327, 1524, 1534, 1628, 1779, 1658, 1604 and 1787 are included under the topic Early Epp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Epp has appeared include Apps, Apse, Abbs, Abb, App, Apsey, Epps, Ebbs, Epsey, Epp and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Epp Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the United States, the name Epp is the 10,362nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [4]
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Epp arrived in North America very early:
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: