CAPPER
Capper is a surname whose origins lie in both English and French linguistic traditions. The earliest surviving form of the name, recorded as William Cappa in the year 1111, is documented in the reference work Early London Names, during the reign of King Henry I. Subsequent references indicate a pattern of spelling variations, including Capp, Capps, Cape and Capes.
The surname is widely regarded as a metonymic occupational name. It derives from the Old French word chape, meaning “hood” or “cape,” which entered Middle English as cappe. The agent suffix -er in Capper signifies a maker or seller of caps, while the earlier form Cappe denoted a wearer of distinctive headgear. This dual possibility—occupation or nickname—mirrors the broader pattern of early medieval surnames that later became hereditary.
Historical documentation provides several instances of the name during the Middle Ages. An Alward Cappe is recorded in the 1178 Pipe Rolls of Kent; a Roger Caps appears in the 1327 Subsidy Rolls of Somerset; and a William Cappier of Essex is noted in 1285. In a later period, a Thomas Capp was christened at St. Benet Fink, London, on 23 February 1556. The addition of s in some forms, such as Capps, indicates a patronymic derivation, equivalent to “son of.”
In the modern era, the surname remains chiefly associated with the British Isles, particularly England. Its bearers continue to bear a name that historically signalled either a craft involving the making of caps or a characteristic associated with wearing such headgear. The enduring nature of the surname demonstrates the long lineage of occupational identifiers within English naming practice.
Typical given names associated with the Capper surname
Male
- David
- James
- John
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Alison
- Angela
- Carol
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Joanne
- Laura
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Capar
- Caparo
- Caper
- Capera
- Capern
- Capers
- Capery
- Capez
- Capiro
- Capoor
- Cappa
- Cappaert
- Cappar
- Cappard
- Cappe
- Cappel
- Capperall
- Cappers
- Capple
- Capra
- Caprai
- Caprez
- Capurro
- Cauper
- Cawper
- Coaper
- Copper
- Coupar
- Couper
- Cowper
- Cupper
- Gapper
- Kapar
- Kaper
- Kapera
- Kapoor
- Kapor
- Kapour
- Kapper
- Kappers
- Kapur
- Keeper
- Keepper
- Keiper
- Kepper
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Capper in...
Braille
⠉⠁⠏⠏⠑⠗
Morse
-.-..-.--..--...-.
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Capper are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.
There are approximately 2,857 people named Capper in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,124th most common surname in Britain. Around 44 in a million people in Britain are named Capper.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Capper
- John Capper - First World War general (1861 to 1955)
- Mabel Capper - Suffragette (1888 to 1966)
- Ingram Capper - Sports shooter (1907 to 1986)
- William Capper - Army officer (1856 to 1934)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.