Surname Jephcote - Meaning and Origin

Jephcote: What does the surname Jephcote mean?

The surname Jephcote is believed to be of English origin, and is likely to have derived from a place name. In some cases, the name may also be an occupational one, referring to a person who made or sold scallops.

The most likely origin of the name is from the Olde English pre 7th Century word "jepscote", meaning a house or dwelling with a scallop-shell roof, usually associated with a Chapel of Ease, a place of Christian worship in a remote area, beyond the reach of a parish church. The word is a combination of "jeppe", meaning a scallop, and "cot", which was an Olde English word derived from the Latin word which meant a shelter.

The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Henry Jephcote, which was dated 1285, in the "Hundred Rolls" of Bedfordshire. Other early records of the surname include: John Jephcote, who was recorded in the "Hundred Rolls" of 1273, and Richard Jefcotes, who was noted in the "Subsidy Rolls" of Staffordshire, in the year 1332.

In 1891, the population of the UK was around 44 million people, and the most common Jephcote ioccurrence was found in Shropshire, where it showed up 23 times. Today, the name is still relatively uncommon throughout England, but its most common form is now Jefcoate, or Jefcoat.

Jephcote: Where does the name Jephcote come from?

The last name Jephcote is a rare name, and appears to be most concentrated in England. The name was first found in Gloucestershire and Durham, where records dating back to the 12th Century show that the Jephcote family held a seat. The family was originally from Jephcote, presumably a place located in the two aforementioned counties. Since then, the surname has spread across the country with small pockets of the name Jephcote scattered across the United Kingdom.

The name can still be found in the south of England in counties such as Gloucestershire, Suffolk and Herefordshire, among others. However, it is much more common in northern England in counties like Durham and Northumberland. The name is also significantly represented in Yorkshire, especially in Easingwold, which has a dozen Jephcote households.

The surname Jephcote can also be found in parts of the United States, particularly in the Midwest and the South. The name appears in the states of Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and Colorado. Interestingly, the name also appears in Canada, particularly in the province of Alberta.

Overall, the surname Jephcote appears to be most strongly represented in England, followed by parts of the United States, Canada and Australia. But given its rarity, it is not a widespread name, and is only found in small pockets worldwide.

Variations of the surname Jephcote

The surname Jephcote is derived from the Old English term 'Giefa-Coat', which was a clothing item typically given to servants or slaves. Variants and spellings of the surname Jephcote include Jephcott, Jefcott, Jefcote, Jefcoat, Jefecote, Jefkot, and Jeppcott. Common surnames of similar origin include Jopling, Jeffries, Jopkins, Jupp, Japp, Joffrey, Jopp, and Jappe.

The surname Jephcote is a locational surname, meaning that it is derived from a place name. It is believed to have originally correlated to a place in England known as Jeffcoat, which is located in the county of Wiltshire. It is unknown exactly when the place got its name, but it can be assumed that the surname has been associated with this specific area since the Early Middle Ages.

Another possibility is that the surname Jephcote was derived from the name of an individual with the given name Jeppa. Jeppa is a personal name derived from the Old English words 'giopa' or 'geopa' meaning 'a worker, farmer, or countryman'. This means that the surname could very possibly be derived from a personal name of the same origin.

The surname Jephcote has been used in FamilySearch records since the 16th century. These records include marriages between individuals with the surname Jephcote that took place from 1582 to 1915. During this period, variations were seen in the spelling of the surname and it was often spelled with different phonetic variations. Today, the surname Jephcote is especially prevalent in the United Kingdom.

Famous people with the name Jephcote

• Simon Jephcote: American musician and multi-instrumentalist.
• Thomas Jephcote: English cricketer.
• Dave Jephcote: English footballer who played for a number of Football League clubs.
• Simon Jephcote: British television presenter, best known for presenting Parts from 1987-1988.
• Finley Jephcote: Actor, known for his roles in studios such as Science Lies and Apollo 19.
• Tom Jephcote: Formula One racing driver.
• Josh Jephcote: British snowboarder who represented Great Britain in the Winter Olympics.
• Emily Jephcote: English professional actress and singer, best known for her role in the TV series Casualty.
• Alfie Jephcote: British television actor, known for playing young characters in shows such as Grange Hill and The Bill.
• Matt Jephcote: British musician and composer, best known for his performance on the Red Dwarf soundtrack.

Other surnames

Jephcott