Find out how popular the last name Happs is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Happs.

Happs, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Happs surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Happs in America

Happs is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Happs surname appeared 122 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Happs.

We can also compare 2010 data for Happs to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Happs

The surname Happs is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the county of Yorkshire, specifically in the village of Hepworth. The name is thought to be a locational surname, derived from the Old English words "hæpp" or "hæpas," which refer to a small enclosed area or enclosure.

In the Domesday Book, a record of land holdings compiled in 1086, there are several entries that mention variations of the name, such as "Hepeword" and "Heppeworth." These entries suggest that the name was already well-established in the region during the Norman conquest of England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Happs surname dates back to 1273, when a John de Heppeworth was mentioned in the Yorkshire Assize Rolls. This record provides evidence of the name's evolution from its Old English roots to a more recognizable modern form.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, several individuals bearing the Happs surname were noted in various historical documents. For instance, William Happs, born around 1310, was a landowner in the village of Hepworth and appears in local records from that time.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Sir Richard Happs (1522-1589), a prominent English politician and member of Parliament. He played a significant role in the religious and political turmoil of the Tudor period.

Another notable figure was Thomas Happs (1634-1701), a renowned English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Worcester Cathedral. He was highly regarded for his theological writings and contributions to the Church of England.

In the 18th century, the surname Happs was associated with the family of Robert Happs (1719-1786), a successful merchant and landowner in Yorkshire. His descendants continued to hold influential positions in the region for several generations.

One of the most famous individuals with the Happs surname was Sir James Happs (1822-1903), a British explorer and naturalist. He gained recognition for his expeditions to South America and his work in documenting the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest.

Throughout its history, the Happs surname has undergone various spelling variations, such as Heppworth, Hepworth, Hepworthy, and Heppers, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal practices of different eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Happs

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Happs.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Happs was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Happs has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Happs was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Happs, please contact us.

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