Show ContentsVipount History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Vipount surname is of Norman origin, coming originally from a place called Vieuxpont in Calvados, France.

However another source claims that the name originated in Vieuxpont-en-Auge, near Caen in Normandy. 1

"Dam William de Vexpont" is mentioned in Wace's account of the battle of Hastings. When William Malet's shield was pierced, and his horse killed under him, "he would have been slain himself, had not the Sire de Montfort, and Dam (Dominus) William de Vez-pont come up with their strong force and bravely rescued him, though with the loss of many of their people, and mounted him on a fresh horse." It was not, however, William, according to his commentator, but "Robert, lord of Vieux-pont, who appears to have been at Hastings. In 1073 he was sent to the rescue of Jean de la Fleche. The name, afterwards written Vipont, is known in English history." He also held the seigneurie of Courville-en-Chatrain in Normandy. His English possessions are not recorded, as he was slain the year before the compilation of Domesday. 1

Early Origins of the Vipount family

The surname Vipount was first found in Devon, where there are early records of a Robert de Viezponte in the Pipe Rolls of 1159, and 1178.

At about the same time, "Robert's second son and eventual successor, William, who held Hardingstone in Northamptonshire, had a contest in 1135 "for certain Lands in Devonshire to be determined by Battle:" and in 1154 Robert de Vipont held eight knight's fees in that county of the Honour of Totness. This Robert attained a great age; for he lived for sixty-two years after the above entry in the Liber Ruber, and proved "one of the most stirring spirits of those troublesome times." 1

Early History of the Vipount family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vipount research. Another 233 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1203, 1204, 1222, 1232, 1233, 1254, 1255, 1256, 1264, 1296 and 1333 are included under the topic Early Vipount History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vipount Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Vipont, Vipond, Vipount, Vipound, Vipan and others.

Early Notables of the Vipount family

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

Migration of the Vipount family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Vipount or a variant listed above: Thomas Vipon, who came to Virginia in 1639; Joseph Vipont, who settled in America in 1762; and Thomas Vipond, who arrived at Philadelphia in 1855.



  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3


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