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

Lappin, 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 Lappin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lappin in America

Lappin is the 14155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lappin surname appeared 2,122 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Lappin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lappin 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 Lappin

The surname Lappin is believed to have originated in Scotland, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "leppr," meaning a patch or strip of land, suggesting that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived on a small piece of land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Lappyn," indicating its Scottish origins and connection to the region.

In the 14th century, the name is mentioned in the records of the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, where a Walter Lappyn is referenced. This provides evidence of the surname's presence and use during this time period.

The Lappin surname has also been linked to various place names throughout Scotland, such as Lappin Burn and Lappin Rig, which are located in the Scottish Borders region. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Among notable individuals bearing the Lappin surname is James Lappin (1722-1806), a Scottish-born merchant and landowner who settled in Pennsylvania, United States. Another notable figure is Alexander Lappin (1776-1859), a Scottish-born businessman and banker who played a significant role in the development of the city of Wilmington, Delaware.

Thomas Lappin (1892-1977) was a renowned Scottish sculptor and artist, known for his works depicting scenes from everyday life in Scotland. His sculptures can be found in various public spaces and museums throughout the country.

Kathleen Lappin (1926-2012) was a respected Irish historian and author, best known for her work on the history of County Longford, Ireland. Her extensive research and publications have contributed greatly to the preservation of local history and heritage.

Lastly, John Lappin (1942-2021) was a Scottish actor and playwright, recognized for his contributions to the theatre scene in Glasgow and beyond. His plays often explored themes of working-class life and social issues, earning him critical acclaim.

These examples demonstrate the widespread presence of the Lappin surname across various fields and regions, reflecting its enduring legacy and the diverse accomplishments of those who have carried this name throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lappin

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

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 Lappin 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 Lappin 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 Lappin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!