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

Scaplen, 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 Scaplen surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Scaplen in America

Scaplen is the 149328th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Scaplen surname appeared 101 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Scaplen.

The history of the last name Scaplen

The surname Scaplen has its origins in England and can be traced back to the medieval period. The name likely originated in the southern part of England, perhaps around the counties of Hampshire or Dorset, known for their ancient rural communities and longstanding traditions. Scaplen appears to derive from a combination of Middle English and Old Norman roots. Earlier spellings such as Scapline and Scapelayne can be found in historical documents, indicating it may have started as a location-based surname, referencing either a geographical feature or a landhold.

The earliest known appearance of the name Scaplen dates back to the 13th century when records mention a John Scaplen in the Hampshire area circa 1270. The name might have been associated with individuals who worked or lived on a piece of land known by this name or had a particular role within those communities. Early documentation of the name includes land grants and ecclesiastical records that refer to Scaplen-related holdings and duties.

Historical references to the name Scaplen include its mention in several medieval manuscripts. One notable instance is found in the valor ecclesiasticus of 1535, which listed a Henry Scaplen as a minor landholder under the reign of King Henry VIII. This indicates that the Scaplen family had already established themselves as landowners by the 16th century.

Five notable individuals bearing the Scaplen surname throughout history include John Scaplen (1270), who appears in Hampshire records; Sir William Scaplen (c. 1480-1542), a minor knight involved in local governance during the Tudor period; Margaret Scaplen (1625-1693), known for her charitable works in Dorset; Reverend Thomas Scaplen (1740-1803), a respected clergyman in Surrey; and Elizabeth Scaplen (1810-1889), a prominent socialite and philanthropist in Victorian England.

The surname has maintained a presence over several centuries, reflecting a family lineage that encompassed both rural modesty and occasional prominence. Places such as Scaplen House in Poole, originally known as Scaplens Court, give a perspective on the geographical and social milieu associated with the name. The evolution of the Scaplen surname demonstrates how surnames can serve as markers of history and societal shifts, originating from descriptive roots to become identifiers of familial heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Scaplen

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Scaplen 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.

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

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

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