NameCensus.

UK surname

Capp

An occupational surname derived from the Italian word for cape, referring to a maker or seller of capes.

In the 1881 census there were 523 people recorded with the Capp surname, ranking it #6,537 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 561, ranked #9,145, down from #6,537 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kineton or Kington and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes and Wiltshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Capp is 638 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.3%.

1881 census count

523

Ranked #6,537

Modern count

561

2016, ranked #9,145

Peak year

1999

638 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Capp had 523 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,537 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 561 in 2016, ranked #9,145.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 637 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Capp surname distribution map

The map shows where the Capp surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Capp surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Capp over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 406 #5,963
1861 historical 366 #6,987
1881 historical 523 #6,537
1891 historical 535 #7,026
1901 historical 556 #7,474
1911 historical 637 #6,541
1997 modern 616 #7,999
1998 modern 629 #8,111
1999 modern 638 #8,074
2000 modern 621 #8,225
2001 modern 611 #8,182
2002 modern 619 #8,262
2003 modern 589 #8,444
2004 modern 577 #8,569
2005 modern 555 #8,735
2006 modern 557 #8,729
2007 modern 562 #8,750
2008 modern 574 #8,690
2009 modern 590 #8,699
2010 modern 587 #8,936
2011 modern 578 #8,929
2012 modern 567 #8,971
2013 modern 568 #9,080
2014 modern 580 #9,013
2015 modern 575 #9,009
2016 modern 561 #9,145

Geography

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Where Capps are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kineton or Kington, St Marylebone and Stewkley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes and Wiltshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Kineton or Kington Warwickshire
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 Stewkley Buckinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 011 North Lincolnshire
2 Milton Keynes 024 Milton Keynes
3 Wiltshire 008 Wiltshire
4 North Lincolnshire 013 North Lincolnshire
5 North Lincolnshire 004 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Capp

These lists show first names that appear often with the Capp surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Capp

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Capp, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Capp surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Capp household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Capp is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Capp is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Capp falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Capp is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Capp, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Capp

The surname CAPP is an English surname that originated in the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'caeppe', meaning a cape or a cloak. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname, referring to a person who made or sold capes.

The earliest recorded instances of the name CAPP can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where it appears as 'Cappe'. This early spelling variation highlights the name's connection to the Old English word 'caeppe'. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327 as 'Cappes'.

In the 14th century, the CAPP surname was particularly concentrated in the counties of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, near the Welsh border. This could indicate that the name may have originated in this region before spreading to other parts of England.

One of the earliest known bearers of the CAPP surname was John Capp, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1332. Another notable historical figure was Sir William Capp, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 15th century.

During the 16th century, the CAPP surname became more widespread throughout England. One notable bearer from this period was Richard Capp, a merchant and alderman in the city of London, who was born around 1530.

In the 17th century, the CAPP surname was well-established across various parts of England. One notable individual was Thomas Capp (1611-1693), a Puritan minister and author who served as the vicar of Crew Green in Cheshire.

Another significant figure was Sir William Capp (1634-1722), a Member of Parliament and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was knighted by King William III in 1696 for his service to the Crown.

Throughout its history, the CAPP surname has also been linked to various place names, such as Capp Mill in Gloucestershire and Capp Plantation in Virginia, USA. These place names may have been derived from individuals bearing the CAPP surname or may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in certain regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Capp families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Capp surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 111 Capps recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.18x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 111 2.18x
Suffolk 53 8.53x
Buckinghamshire 46 14.91x
Warwickshire 45 3.50x
Surrey 43 1.73x
Kent 28 1.61x
Devon 27 2.54x
Norfolk 25 3.19x
Yorkshire 23 0.45x
Bedfordshire 18 6.81x
Northamptonshire 16 3.33x
Essex 15 1.49x
Lincolnshire 14 1.72x
Hertfordshire 12 3.41x
Durham 8 0.53x
Staffordshire 8 0.46x
Cambridgeshire 6 1.86x
Berkshire 5 1.31x
Leicestershire 4 0.71x
Glamorgan 2 0.23x
Gloucestershire 2 0.20x
Oxfordshire 2 0.63x
Selkirkshire 2 4.33x
Cheshire 1 0.09x
Hampshire 1 0.10x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.86x
Rutland 1 2.67x
Somerset 1 0.12x
Sussex 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Icklingham in Suffolk leads with 21 Capps recorded in 1881 and an index of 2837.84x.

Place Total Index
Icklingham 21 2837.84x
Islington London 18 3.64x
Sholden 17 2500.00x
Stewkley 17 723.40x
Kineton 15 815.22x
St Marylebone London 14 5.14x
Coventry St Michael 13 31.45x
Holme 13 2765.96x
Potsgrove 13 3714.29x
St Luke London 12 14.66x
Guildford Holy Trinity 11 232.07x
Lavendon 11 797.10x
Cheshunt 10 81.37x
Enfield 9 26.89x
Stoke 9 76.73x
Alnesbourne Priory 8 8000.00x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 8 16.99x
Bideford 8 70.30x
Helmington Row 8 113.15x
Lambeth 8 1.80x
Melsonby 8 860.22x
Rothwell 8 165.98x
Wing 7 244.76x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 6 51.46x
Clapham 6 9.41x
Great Mongeham 6 731.71x
Hunslet 6 7.61x
Newington 6 3.18x
St Andrewthe Less 6 16.25x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.26x
Boothby Graffoe 5 1724.14x
Chingford 5 205.76x
Fulham London 5 6.76x
Hintlesham 5 505.05x
Ingham 5 1000.00x
Luton 5 10.93x
Pilton 5 142.86x
St Pancras London 5 1.22x
Stoke Bruern 5 340.14x
Stoke Newington London 5 12.58x
Wolstanton 5 9.56x
Aston Abbotts 4 784.31x
Chelsea London 4 2.60x
Coventry Holy Trinity 4 10.41x
Dunterton 4 2000.00x
Loughborough 4 15.58x
St Andrew Holborn 4 23.12x
St George Bloomsbury 4 13.67x
St George Hanover Square 4 4.45x
Stoke Damerel 4 5.38x
Stony Stratford East 4 314.96x
Alford 3 59.29x
Axminster 3 60.24x
Barking 3 10.18x
Bayards Leap 3 352.94x
Birmingham 3 0.70x
Curdworth 3 254.24x
Hendon 3 16.34x
Lakenheath 3 91.46x
Prittlewell 3 21.49x
Shoreditch London 3 1.36x
Watlington 3 277.78x
Aston 2 0.56x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 2.12x
Butlers Marston 2 434.78x
Castle Church 2 19.32x
Clerkenwell London 2 1.66x
Docking 2 80.97x
Elvenden 2 370.37x
Galashiels 2 11.72x
Hampstead London 2 2.52x
Kensington London 2 0.71x
Llandilo Talybont 2 42.92x
Newport Pagnell 2 31.01x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 2 41.93x
St Bride London 2 67.34x
St Osyth 2 81.63x
Thetford St Cuthbert 2 70.42x
Tottenham 2 2.46x
West Ham 2 0.90x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Capp surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Capp surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 31
William 31
Charles 23
Thomas 19
James 16
George 15
Henry 10
Frederick 9
Alfred 8
Joseph 7
Robert 7
Samuel 7
Arthur 6
Edward 6
Walter 4
Ernest 3
Albert 2
David 2
Herbert 2
Isaac 2
Johnson 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Amos 1
Benjamin 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
G. 1
Harry 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Jesse 1
Noble 1
Pearson 1
Percy 1
Raymond 1
Rogers 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Wesley 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Capp surname: questions and answers

How common was the Capp surname in 1881?

In 1881, 523 people were recorded with the Capp surname. That placed it at #6,537 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Capp surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 561 in 2016. That gives Capp a modern rank of #9,145.

What does the Capp surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Italian word for cape, referring to a maker or seller of capes.

What does the Capp map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Capp bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.