Surname Shappley - Meaning and Origin
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Shappley: What does the surname Shappley mean?
The last name Shappley is a locational surname of English origin. It derived from the Old English word sele meaning hall, and -pele meaning settlement. As such, Shappley would have historically denoted someone who lived near or at clearing in a wood, or a settlement around an important house or building such as a church or manor.
The Shappley surname is first found in Nottinghamshire, where the name emerged in the county in the 13th century as a surname derived from a local place of that name. It was a common practice for English people to take their surnames from the place they lived. During the Middle Ages people used their village or town name as their surname, since most people lacked any formal method of having their name recorded as a group.
Recorded variants of the surname Shappley include Shapleigh, Shaplee, Shepley, Shepleigh, Sheplee, Shepley, Sheple, Shapley, and Shippley. The variations in spelling of surnames was due to their being based on how words were pronounced in a specific region, and because it was common for the same person to be recorded in different documents with different variations of their name.
The origin of the name Shappley is a great reminder of how our ancestors lived in the past, and it has lived on for centuries with its different spellings in different countries and cultures. It is a name that will always remain engrained in our history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisShappley: Where does the name Shappley come from?
The surname Shappley is most commonly associated today with regions of the United States in the South and Southwest. Texas is the most prominent state where the name Shappley is most prevalent. It was first documented in Texas in the mid-1800s. Subsequent generations of Shappleys appear to have moved throughout the southwestern states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
The census of 1880 shows Shappley families living in Hart County, Kentucky, although this is the only record of the family living in the state. That year, three Shappley households were recorded, one of which containing several adults and nine children.
More recently, the 2000 US Census recorded Shappley families living in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Shappley households in Texas alone numbered over 2,900. Although there is no clear concentration of the Shappley family name, variations may be noted by county. For example, Gregg County in east Texas is home to a significant Shappley population, with over 600 households recorded in 2000.
Overall, the physical distribution of Shappleys indicates a geographic concentration among the states of the South and Southwest United States. As of 2000, recognition of the Shappley name was most widespread in Texas, followed by Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Variations of the surname Shappley
Shappley is an English surname of uncertain origin. It is sometimes cited as an alternate version of the more well-known Shapleigh, and is also sometimes associated with the similar sounding Crappley or Crapley.
The most likely source for the Shappley surname is from the Old English word 'shapelic,' which means "shire official," as in someone who held a public office in a shire or region. Other related surnames include Shapleigh, Shipley, Shippley, Shaplee, Shappley, Shaplee, Shapleigh, Shiply, Shipleigh, and Shipply.
Other spellings of the Shappley surname include Shapleigh, Shepley, Schappley, Sheaply, Schapply, and Shaply. Related surnames include Shipleigh, Sheply, Schopleigh, Schaply, and Schaplee.
The Shappley surname is relatively uncommon in the modern day, and there are fewer than sixty bearers of this name in the United States, and fewer than one hundred globally. Though the spelling is unique, it is plausible that some variants of this surname could be found in other countries.
Famous people with the name Shappley
- Tyler Shappley: songwriter and record producer who has worked with Sam Hunt, Sara Evans, Mark Chesnutt, Lee Ann Womack, and many others.
- Rob Shappley: actor who starred in the television series Charmed, writers Donald Todd and Ross Bagdasarian, films such as Red Dragon and A Christmas Story.
- Lisa Shappley: fiction author whose short stories have been published in journals such as The Atlantic and The Harvard Review.
- Robert Shappley: visual artist known for his work in both painting and sculpting.
- LaVerne Shappley: jazz guitar player and record producer who has worked with legends such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and John Coltrane.
- Martin Shappley: broadcast journalist and television producer who worked on projects such as ‘60 Minutes' and ‘Nightline’.
- David Shappley: structural engineer and inventor who pioneered the use of steel in architectural construction.
- Mark Shappley: former professional basketball player who spent three season with the Miami Heat.
- Jay Shappley: children’s book illustrator, whose work has been featured in books such as ‘The Cat Who Wanted A Friend’ and ‘The Horse Who Knew His Name’.
- Colin Shappley: actor best known for his roles in the television series SGU Stargate Universe and films such as The Great Gatsby and The Finest Hours.