Surname Tippet - Meaning and Origin
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Tippet: What does the surname Tippet mean?
The surname Tippet originates from medieval England. It is derived from the word "tip", an occupational nickname for a maker or seller of ornamental clothing worn by royalty or priests, specifically a type of long, narrow garment or scarf, often fur-trimmed, commonly worn during the medieval period known as a "tippet". The name dates back to at least the 13th century and variations include Tipett, Tippett, and Tipple. Like many surnames of this time period, the spelling has evolved over centuries due to factors like dialect and literacy levels. Therefore, this surname is an example of a metonymic occupational surname, which means it's derived from the principal object associated with the occupation.
Order DNA origin analysisTippet: Where does the name Tippet come from?
The surname Tippet is most commonly found in English-speaking countries around the world, with the highest concentrations located in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United Kingdom, the Tippet name is especially popular throughout the southwestern England counties of Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire, and Somerset.
The Tippet surname is most common in the United States' five-state region of New England, which includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. As of 2020, the states with the most Tippet surnames are: Maine (207), Massachusetts (202), Rhode Island (179), Connecticut (155), and New Hampshire (155).
Given the prevalence of the Tippet surname in those aforementioned regions, it is possible that the surname has its origins in English settlers who immigrated to New England in the 1600s. One of the earliest records of the name appears in 1643, when a William Tippet was noted in Massachusetts court records.
Over the centuries, the Tippet family has been associated with a number of prestigious achievements. One such line of Tippets trace their lineage to Robert Tippet, who served as secretary to Queen Elizabeth I of England from 1571 to 1586. Additionally, a number of Tippets have been awarded medals of honor for their service in the military.
Today, the Tippet surname continues to be associated with prestige and spirit. As many Tippets still reside in their ancestral homelands of England and the eastern United States, it is clear that this surname will remain a part of the fabric of these regions for years to come.
Variations of the surname Tippet
Variants of the surname Tippet include Tippett, Tippitt, Tippit, Teppett and Teppit. Other variations are Typpitt, Typpit and Typett.
The surname Tippet has evolved from the traditional English name Teppett, which is derived from the Old English personal name Tibba. Tibba is composed of the Old English elements "tibba", meaning "brave", and "hyll" meaning "hill", and may have been used as an occupational name for a person who worked in the hills.
Initially, the spelling of the surname Tippet was very variable in English records. Through time, it has changed and become more standardised, so the spelling of Tippet is now more common than other variants.
Tippet is also a very common surname in the United States. It has been found in records as far back as the 17th century in the New England states. The first instance seen was of William Tippett arriving in Massachusetts in 1636.
Tippet is a popular surname in Ireland as well, where it is generally spelled Tippett. It is thought to have originally appeared in Co Carlow in the south-east of the country and may have been imported into Ireland by English settlers in the early 17th century.
In Scotland, the variants of Tippet spellings are fewer and the most common is Tippett. This concludes that the surname originated in England and spread further to Ireland, Scotland and America.
Famous people with the name Tippet
- Sir Michael Tippett: Acclaimed classical composer and Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
- Harry Tippett: British actor and playwright known mainly for his work in turn of the 20th century plays.
- Steve Tippett: British professional ice hockey player who represented Great Britain at the 1988, 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympic Games
- Bryan Tippett: British politician who has served as Member of Parliament for the Newbury constituency since 2005.
- P. C. Tippett: English mathematician and biophysicist who is best known for his work on the statistics of particle interactions.
- Sir Niall Tippet: British police commissioner and author, known for his books on policing and law enforcement.
- Nicole Tippet: American singer-songwriter known for her work in the folk and Americana genres.
- Pauline Tippet: Australian pioneer aviator, the sister of famous aviator and entrepreneur Sir Norman Brearley.
- Rodney Tippet: English professional footballer who played in the 1960s and 70s for clubs such as Watford and Huddersfield Town.
- James Tippett: American actor and director best known for his role in the television series Home Improvement.