Surname Peppard - Meaning and Origin
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Peppard: What does the surname Peppard mean?
The surname Peppard is of English origin, derived from a place name. The earliest recorded versions of the name come from the Oxfordshire area in the form of Pipers or Pyperes (modern day Peppard). There are three prominent places with the name in Oxfordshire - Kingwood, Rotherfield, and Sonning - all ending in "Peppard" which suggests the name may originally have been used to signify a person from one of these areas. The name is believed to be composed of two Old English elements - "pipere", meaning "piper", and "-w(e)ard", a suffix indicating "inhabitant of". Thus, it could be a geographic or occupational surname for someone who lived in a location associated with pipers. However, like many surnames its precise origin and meaning are difficult to ascertain due to changes in spelling and pronunciation over centuries. Overall, Peppard is not a common surname and is mostly found in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisPeppard: Where does the name Peppard come from?
The last name Peppard is most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in the south and Midlands of England. According to the British Surname Database, it is the 1, flame entry in the list of most common British surnames. The name is also found in other countries in Europe and North America, and is relatively well-distributed, forming a population cluster with French surnames, such as Pépin and Pépon.
Peppard is an English name which derives from a medieval nickname, more formally known as 'le peuppard', or 'the little apple', referring to a person's small size. Over time, the spelling has changed, and variations now include Pipard and Peperd.
The 'Peppard' spelling appears to have developed in England from the 16th century, with records showing it most prevalent in counties in and around Hertfordshire and Middlesex. It is also found in neighbouring Shropshire, and in towns such as London.
By the Victorian era, records show a number of Peppards in Cheshire and Kent, and, by 1901, there were many people with this name living in Lancashire. However, the greatest concentration of the name is now in and around London.
Today, the number of Peppards and variations of the name is estimated to be around 22,000 in total. There are also four Peppard communities found in British ex-patriot settlements in Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Peppard
The surname Peppard is derived from several different origins. In English, it is thought to be a habitational name from either a place in Leicestershire or Herefordshire, derived from the Old English personal name Pǣpa combined with the word ‘tūn’ meaning ‘enclosure’.
Furthermore, it could also be a variant of the German-derived surname Pflaum, or Pfaff. The name is derived from the occupation of a pfaff, originating from the Old High German ‘pfaffano’ meaning ‘priest’.
Variants of the surname Peppard include Papard, and Papworth. Furthermore, the surnames Papert, Peoppelman, Pefrum, Pefferman, and Peferman are thought to have the same origination. The spellings of the name include Peppered, Peppord, Pepprid, Peppird, Pephard, Pipherd and Peperd.
Lastly, the lesser known surnames, Pipper, Pefferd, and Pepperd, are thought to be variants of the original surname Peppard.
In conclusion, there are many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Peppard. Though it is of English and German origin, the meaning of the surname has remained the same for centuries, referring to a priest or person who lived near an enclosure.
Famous people with the name Peppard
- George Peppard: an American film and television actor who rose to stardom in the 1960s, best known as the star of the television show The A-Team.
- Richard E. Peppard: an American composer, orchestral conductor and violinist.
- John Edward Peppard Jr.: an American film and television actor, best known for his role as Paul Varjak in Breakfast at Tiffany's.
- David Peppard: an American animator, famous for cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and Daffy Duck.
- Mark Peppard: an American actor best known for roles on films like War of the Worlds and Darkman.
- Emily Peppard: an American actress, best known for her performances in supporting roles in film and television.
- Sean Peppard: an American screenwriter and director, best known for writing and directing films such as The 13th Floor and Kingshighway.
- Darius Peppard: an American musician and composer, who has released records as solo artist and with groups such as The Cats Meow and The Soul Providers.
- Daniel Peppard: an American writer and producer, best known as the executive producer for the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm.
- Robert Peppard: an American landscape and marine painter, and one of the founding members of the American watercolor movement.