Pepys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Pepys family

The surname Pepys was first found in Normandy where they claim descent from the founders of the Carolingian monarchy, Pepin d'Heristal (c. 635-714), and Pepin le Bref (Pippin the Younger.) Both claim descent from Pepin I (also Peppin, Pipin, or Pippin) of Landen (c. 580-640), also called Pepin the Elder or the Old, was the Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia from 623 to 629.

Early History of the Pepys family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pepys research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1500, 1583, 1589, 1617, 1625, 1633, 1640, 1659, 1660, 1666, 1669, 1672, 1679, 1688, 1703 and 1825 are included under the topic Early Pepys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pepys Spelling Variations

Huguenot surnames were only slightly Anglicized, and they remain to this day a distinct group of surnames in England. Nevertheless, Huguenot surnames have been subject to numerous spelling alterations since the names emerged in France. French surnames have a variety of spelling variations because the French language has changed drastically over the centuries. French was developed from the vernacular Latin of the Roman Empire. It is divided into three historic and linguistic periods: Old French, which developed before the 14th century; Middle French, which was used between the 14th and 16th centuries; and Modern French, which was used after the 16th century and continues to be in use today. In all of these periods, the French language was heavily influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when the barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. Huguenot names have numerous variations. The name may be spelled Pepys, Pippin, Pippy, Pepin and others.

Early Notables of the Pepys family

Notable in the family at this time was

Talbot Pepys (1583-1666), English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1625
Sir Richard Pepys (1589-1659), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Sudbury in 1640 and was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
Roger Pepys (1617-1688), an English lawyer and politician

Migration of the Pepys family to Ireland

Some of the Pepys family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pepys family

Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Pepys or a variant listed above: William Pippin who settled in Virginia in 1638 Joseph Pippy who settled in St. John's Newfoundland in 1791; Elizabeth Pippy who settled in Bristol's Hope, Nfld in 1796.

Contemporary Notables of the name Pepys (post 1700) +

Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), English naval administrator, Member of Parliament, Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under both King Charles II and King James II, but most famous for his diary that he kept from 1660 to 1669 which includes eye witness accounts of the Great Plague of London, the Second Dutch War, and the Great Fire of London
William Haseldine Pepys FRS (1775-1856), English scientist
Sir Richard Richard Pepys (1589-1659), English M.P. and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
Elisabeth Pepys (1640-1669), Elisabeth de St. Michel, was the wife of Samuel Pepys
Henry Pepys (1783-1860), Church of England Bishop of Worcester
Charles Christopher Pepys PC KC (1781-1851), 1st Earl of Cottenham, a British lawyer, judge and politician
Mark Brian Pepys FRS, English Professor of Medicine at University College London
Guillaume Pepys (b. 1958), high-ranking French civil servant
George Christopher Pepys, the fifth Bishop of Buckingham from 1964 to 1974
Lady Rachel Pepys DCVO (1905-1992), British Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Marina

The Pepys Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Mens cujusque is est quisque
Motto Translation: As the mind of each, so is the man.