Show ContentsEstap History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished and ancient surname Estap 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 Estap family

The surname Estap 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 Estap family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Estap research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1603 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Estap History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Estap Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Estap have been found, including Easthop, Esthop, Estep, Estop, Estap, Estope, Esthope and many more.

Early Notables of the Estap family

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


United States Estap migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Estap, or a variant listed above:

Estap Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Frederick Le Estap, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1764 4


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. 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)


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