NameCensus.

UK surname

Tappin

An English surname derived from the medieval occupation of a beer maker or tavern keeper.

In the 1881 census there were 155 people recorded with the Tappin surname, ranking it #15,174 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 607, ranked #8,637, up from #15,174 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Ealing, Chiswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge, South Oxfordshire and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tappin is 635 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 291.6%.

1881 census count

155

Ranked #15,174

Modern count

607

2016, ranked #8,637

Peak year

2010

635 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tappin had 155 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,174 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 607 in 2016, ranked #8,637.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 392 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tappin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tappin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tappin 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 106 #16,512
1861 historical 88 #22,554
1881 historical 155 #15,174
1891 historical 258 #12,440
1901 historical 357 #10,280
1911 historical 392 #9,421
1997 modern 561 #8,538
1998 modern 591 #8,481
1999 modern 606 #8,387
2000 modern 594 #8,478
2001 modern 584 #8,445
2002 modern 592 #8,537
2003 modern 577 #8,555
2004 modern 587 #8,478
2005 modern 580 #8,470
2006 modern 575 #8,550
2007 modern 588 #8,486
2008 modern 605 #8,360
2009 modern 606 #8,535
2010 modern 635 #8,398
2011 modern 628 #8,384
2012 modern 609 #8,508
2013 modern 625 #8,464
2014 modern 625 #8,533
2015 modern 618 #8,530
2016 modern 607 #8,637

Geography

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Where Tappins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, Ealing, Chiswick and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge, South Oxfordshire, Cornwall, Brentwood and Thurrock. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ealing, Chiswick Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 008 Torridge
2 South Oxfordshire 008 South Oxfordshire
3 Cornwall 027 Cornwall
4 Brentwood 005 Brentwood
5 Thurrock 002 Thurrock

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tappin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tappin

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Tappin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tappin is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tappin falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tappin

The surname Tappin originated in England, with its earliest recorded usage dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "tæppere," which referred to a tavern keeper or a maker of taps for barrels and casks.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, a census-like record from 1273. The entry mentions a "Johannes le Tappere," indicating the use of the name during that time period.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Tappur, Tapper, and Tappere, reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. Several historical documents from the era, including parish records and tax rolls, contain references to individuals bearing this surname.

During the 16th century, the name Tappin began to emerge as a distinct spelling variation. One notable individual from this period was William Tappin, a merchant and landowner who lived in Oxfordshire from around 1520 to 1585.

In the 17th century, the name Tappin was well-established throughout various regions of England. John Tappin (1625-1693) was a prominent figure, serving as the Mayor of Coventry from 1669 to 1670. Additionally, records indicate that a Thomas Tappin (1638-1712) was a successful merchant and landowner in the county of Suffolk.

The 18th century saw the name Tappin spread further across England and beyond. Robert Tappin (1718-1788) was a notable Anglican clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Olave's Church in London. Similarly, Edward Tappin (1752-1825) was a respected architect based in Bath, known for designing several notable buildings in the city.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Tappin continued to be borne by individuals from various walks of life, including academics, artists, and military personnel. One such example is Sir Thomas Tappin (1804-1876), a British Army officer who served in the Crimean War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

Throughout its history, the surname Tappin has been closely associated with various locations across England, including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk, and Coventry, among others. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the occupational roots of the Old English word "tæppere."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tappin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tappin 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 82 Tappins recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 82 5.42x
Surrey 24 3.26x
Kent 13 2.52x
Oxfordshire 10 10.71x
Essex 9 3.02x
Hertfordshire 8 7.68x
Lancashire 5 0.28x
Berkshire 1 0.88x
Durham 1 0.22x
Gloucestershire 1 0.34x
Warwickshire 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 21 Tappins recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.99x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 21 24.99x
Islington London 11 7.51x
Cuxham 9 12857.14x
Send Ripley 9 937.50x
West Ham 9 13.66x
Stoke Newington London 8 67.91x
Chiswick 6 72.64x
St George Hanover 6 30.41x
Bermondsey 5 11.11x
Cheshunt 5 137.36x
Clerkenwell London 5 14.01x
Dartford 5 94.88x
Tooting Graveney 5 243.90x
Walton On Hill 5 51.44x
Bromley 4 50.89x
Shoreditch London 4 6.10x
Fulham London 3 13.68x
Hackney London 3 3.54x
Watford 3 37.13x
Chertsey 2 42.02x
Ealing 2 14.80x
St Pancras London 2 1.64x
Sutton At Hone 2 186.92x
Westminster St James 2 12.87x
Battersea 1 1.80x
Camberwell 1 1.04x
Conside Knitsley 1 28.57x
Cowley 1 625.00x
Edmonton 1 8.21x
Feltham 1 66.23x
Hammersmith London 1 2.69x
Hook Norton 1 156.25x
Lambeth 1 0.76x
Paddington London 1 1.80x
Shoreham 1 136.99x
St Anne Soho London 1 11.59x
St Botolph Aldgate 1 48.54x
St Gilesin Fields 1 113.64x
St Marylebone London 1 1.24x
Stratford On Avon 1 47.39x
Twickenham 1 15.43x
Waltham St Lawrence 1 227.27x
Woolwich 1 5.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 6
Jane 5
Mary 5
Alice 3
Eliza 3
Ellen 3
Helen 3
Emily 2
Emma 2
Flora 2
Harriett 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Maryann 2
Rhoda 2
Sarah 2
Susan 2
Aley 1
Annie 1
C. 1
Charlotte 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Eliz 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
F.Hannah 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
M.A.J. 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Michal 1
Olive 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 9
John 8
George 7
Thomas 7
Henry 6
Wm. 4
Charles 3
Frederick 3
Stephen 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Herbert 2
James 2
Amos 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Cecil 1
Chas.Edwin 1
David 1
E.A. 1
E.A.J. 1
Edward 1
Elijah 1
Frances 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.W. 1
Harry 1
Isaacson 1
J. 1
Joseph 1
Patrick 1
Richard 1
Thos.Albert 1
W.James 1

FAQ

Tappin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tappin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 155 people were recorded with the Tappin surname. That placed it at #15,174 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tappin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 607 in 2016. That gives Tappin a modern rank of #8,637.

What does the Tappin surname mean?

An English surname derived from the medieval occupation of a beer maker or tavern keeper.

What does the Tappin map show?

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