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

Stape, 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 Stape surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Stape in America

Stape is the 96368th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Stape surname appeared 189 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 Stape.

We can also compare 2010 data for Stape 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 Stape

The surname "STAPE" is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged as a locational name derived from the Old English term "stæp," meaning a steep hill or bank.

In the early days, surnames were often adopted based on geographical features or locations associated with the first bearers of the name. The name "STAPE" likely originated in areas with prominent hills or steep slopes, potentially in the northern regions of England where such topographical features were more common.

Historical records reveal instances of the name appearing in various forms, such as "de Stape," "de la Stape," and "atte Stape," indicating its locational origins. These variations were common in the Middle Ages, reflecting the practice of using prepositions like "de" and "atte" to denote association with a particular place.

One of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the 12th century, where a certain "William de Stape" is mentioned. This record suggests that the name was already established in the region at that time.

Notable individuals bearing the surname "STAPE" throughout history include:

1. Sir Richard Stape (c. 1450 - 1520), a prominent English landowner and member of the gentry in Derbyshire.
2. John Stape (1572 - 1637), an English clergyman and author, known for his work "A Treatise on the Art of Memory."
3. Thomas Stape (1615 - 1689), a renowned English architect who contributed to the design of several churches and notable buildings in London during the Restoration period.
4. Margaret Stape (1690 - 1756), a notable philanthropist and patron of the arts in the city of York, known for her support of local artists and charitable endeavors.
5. Sir William Stape (1785 - 1862), a distinguished British military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament.

While the name "STAPE" may have evolved over time, with variations in spelling and pronunciation, its origins can be traced back to the Old English term for a steep hill or bank, reflecting the naming practices of medieval England and the geographic features associated with the first bearers of this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Stape

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

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

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

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