NameCensus.

UK surname

Tapp

An English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold candle wicks or drew beer from a cask.

In the 1881 census there were 1,296 people recorded with the Tapp surname, ranking it #3,160 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,528, ranked #4,054, down from #3,160 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Northamptonshire, North Devon and Mid Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tapp is 1,710 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.9%.

1881 census count

1,296

Ranked #3,160

Modern count

1,528

2016, ranked #4,054

Peak year

1911

1,710 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tapp had 1,296 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,160 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,528 in 2016, ranked #4,054.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,710 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tapp surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tapp surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tapp 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 851 #3,195
1861 historical 716 #3,802
1881 historical 1,296 #3,160
1891 historical 1,221 #3,525
1901 historical 1,571 #3,284
1911 historical 1,710 #2,867
1997 modern 1,605 #3,691
1998 modern 1,629 #3,775
1999 modern 1,615 #3,838
2000 modern 1,607 #3,841
2001 modern 1,577 #3,826
2002 modern 1,609 #3,831
2003 modern 1,565 #3,849
2004 modern 1,538 #3,908
2005 modern 1,489 #3,986
2006 modern 1,513 #3,941
2007 modern 1,471 #4,069
2008 modern 1,464 #4,105
2009 modern 1,499 #4,123
2010 modern 1,557 #4,063
2011 modern 1,532 #4,078
2012 modern 1,500 #4,084
2013 modern 1,530 #4,085
2014 modern 1,557 #4,031
2015 modern 1,530 #4,065
2016 modern 1,528 #4,054

Geography

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Where Tapps are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes and Paulerspury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Northamptonshire, North Devon and Mid Devon. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 Paulerspury Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Northamptonshire 008 South Northamptonshire
2 North Devon 013 North Devon
3 Mid Devon 010 Mid Devon
4 Mid Devon 002 Mid Devon
5 South Northamptonshire 003 South Northamptonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tapp

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tapp

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Tapp, 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 Tapp surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Tapp 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Tapp is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tapp is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tapp falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Tapp 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 Tapp, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Tapp

The surname Tapp is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the Old English word "tæppa," meaning "tap" or "spigot." This suggests that the name may have been occupational, referring to someone who worked with taps or spigots, perhaps in the brewing or winemaking industry.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Tapp can be found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable mention is in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, which lists a person named William Tappe. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327, with a reference to a John Tappe.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the surname Tapp was particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire, possibly indicating a geographic concentration of the name's origins. Variations in spelling, such as Tappe, Tappes, and Tapper, were also common during this time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Tapp surname was John Tapp, who was born in Gloucester around 1450. Records indicate that he served as a member of the city's council and held various positions of authority within the local government.

Another notable figure was Robert Tapp, a wealthy merchant from Bristol, born in 1520. He was a prominent member of the city's mercantile community and played a significant role in the trading and export of wool and cloth.

In the 17th century, the Tapp surname gained further recognition with the birth of John Tapp (1631-1692), a renowned English mathematician and astronomer. He served as the Savilian Professor of Geometry at the University of Oxford and made significant contributions to the fields of optics and celestial mechanics.

Another individual of historical importance was Sir George Tapp (1773-1853), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Napoleonic Wars. He earned several honors for his bravery and leadership, including being appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

Lastly, mention should be made of Reverend Thomas Tapp (1805-1880), an influential Anglican clergyman and author. He served as the Vicar of Farningham in Kent and wrote several theological works, including a commentary on the Book of Revelation.

While the surname Tapp may have originated as an occupational name, it has since become widely dispersed throughout England and beyond, with many individuals bearing this name making notable contributions to various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tapp families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tapp 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. Devon leads with 234 Tapps recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.97x.

County Total Index
Devon 234 8.97x
Middlesex 189 1.51x
Kent 147 3.44x
Sussex 126 5.96x
Northamptonshire 123 10.43x
Somerset 106 5.25x
Surrey 84 1.38x
Gloucestershire 45 1.83x
Hampshire 29 1.13x
Glamorgan 28 1.28x
Yorkshire 27 0.22x
Leicestershire 25 1.80x
Warwickshire 21 0.66x
Cheshire 17 0.61x
Lancashire 17 0.11x
Berkshire 14 1.49x
Shropshire 9 0.83x
Worcestershire 5 0.31x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.53x
Essex 4 0.16x
Lincolnshire 4 0.20x
Wiltshire 4 0.36x
Cornwall 3 0.21x
Dorset 3 0.36x
Staffordshire 3 0.07x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.17x
Herefordshire 2 0.39x
Midlothian 2 0.12x
Monmouthshire 2 0.22x
Bedfordshire 1 0.15x
Durham 1 0.03x
Hertfordshire 1 0.12x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.40x
Isle of Man 1 0.43x
Northumberland 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Potterspury in Northamptonshire leads with 83 Tapps recorded in 1881 and an index of 1758.47x.

Place Total Index
Potterspury 83 1758.47x
Tonbridge 40 25.93x
Islington London 30 2.47x
Rose Ash 26 1192.66x
Lambeth 25 2.29x
Sheepshed 25 131.23x
South Molton 24 167.36x
St Pancras London 24 2.38x
Hastings All Sts 19 95.43x
Bermondsey 18 4.82x
Cheltenham 16 8.44x
St Giles In Fields 15 34.70x
St Marylebone London 15 2.24x
Twitchen 15 1704.55x
Clerkenwell London 14 4.73x
West Teignmouth 14 70.14x
Deptford St Paul 13 3.94x
Hastings St Mary 13 24.71x
Passenham 13 268.60x
Ardsley 12 83.86x
Birmingham 12 1.14x
Bow London 12 7.52x
Hastings St Mary In The 12 26.61x
Plymouth Charles The 12 10.44x
Plymouth St Andrew 12 5.97x
St George Hanover 12 7.33x
Walcot 12 11.17x
Camberwell 11 1.37x
Exeter St Sidwell 11 18.41x
Peasmarsh 11 306.41x
Wantage 11 73.33x
Ashreigney 10 344.83x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 10 4.32x
Cheriton Fitzpaine 10 302.11x
Hastings St Clement 10 50.28x
Newington In Milton 10 224.22x
Penge 10 12.49x
Rotherhithe 10 6.46x
St Mary Cray 10 122.25x
Aberavon 9 44.80x
Barcombe 9 177.51x
Cardiff St John 9 12.62x
Diddlebury 9 252.10x
Isle Abbotts 9 604.03x
Martock 9 68.60x
Portsea 9 1.79x
Shoreditch London 9 1.66x
West Cranmore 9 737.70x
Bristol St James St Paul 8 9.76x
Hackney London 8 1.14x
Hastings St Andrew 8 105.68x
Ilfracombe 8 29.78x
Lewes St John Southover 8 56.38x
Luddesdown 8 683.76x
North Tawton 8 99.75x
Winsford 8 382.78x
Ashill 7 346.53x
Aston 7 0.80x
Cloford 7 823.53x
East Malling 7 68.49x
Maidford 7 603.45x
Shipbourne 7 321.10x
Bishops Nympton 6 120.72x
Chailey 6 91.60x
Great Billing 6 359.28x
Midsomer Norton 6 31.56x
Molland 6 279.07x
Monks Coppenhall 6 5.75x
Plumstead 6 4.21x
Portishead 6 40.00x
Shobrooke 6 217.39x
St Luke London 6 2.98x
Thornton In Bradford 6 14.51x
Tormoham 6 5.43x
Wrotham 6 42.34x
Chatham 5 4.25x
Exminster 5 53.30x
Poplar London 5 2.11x
Rewe 5 413.22x
Wilmington 5 83.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 97
John 73
George 45
James 44
Thomas 29
Alfred 26
Charles 24
Henry 21
Frederick 19
Joseph 19
Richard 17
Edward 16
Albert 15
Robert 11
Samuel 11
Arthur 10
Frank 10
Edwin 9
Herbert 8
Walter 8
Harry 7
Ernest 5
Philip 5
Francis 4
Frederic 3
Levi 3
Sidney 3
Benjamin 2
Caleb 2
Charley 2
David 2
Edmund 2
Edwd. 2
Fredk. 2
Henrey 2
Horace 2
Hy. 2
Jesse 2
Mark 2
Matthew 2
Newman 2
Oliver 2
Stephen 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Alfd. 1
Benjaman 1
Bernard 1
Eli 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Tapp surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tapp surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,296 people were recorded with the Tapp surname. That placed it at #3,160 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tapp surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,528 in 2016. That gives Tapp a modern rank of #4,054.

What does the Tapp surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold candle wicks or drew beer from a cask.

What does the Tapp map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Tapp 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.