As described in historical dictionaries

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

NAPER. Napcry is table linen, including the ' nappe ' or napkin used in washing the hands, either before or after meals. In great establishments the Najner or Naper handed these napkins to the guests. One partof his duty, in the royal household, was, to hand over to the Idng's almoner the outworn linen of the sovereign's table for distribution to the poor. Ducange. Ediub. Eev. April, 1855.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


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