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

Tap, 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 Tap surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tap in America

Tap is the 93125th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tap surname appeared 197 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 Tap.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tap 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 Tap

The surname "Tap" is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "taeppe," meaning "a spout or tap for drawing liquids." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a brewer, tavern keeper, or in a related occupation involving the dispensing of beverages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from the year 1273, where a person named William Tap was listed. Another early mention is in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire from 1286, which referenced a Richard le Tap.

During the Middle Ages, the name Tap appeared in various spellings, such as "Tappe," "Tapp," and "Tapper," reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling during that period. The name was often associated with specific locations, leading to the formation of surnames like "Tapperton" and "Tapperley."

One notable figure bearing the surname Tap was John Tap, a merchant and alderman who lived in York during the late 15th century. He served as the city's Lord Mayor in 1483 and was involved in various civic affairs.

In the 16th century, the Tap surname gained prominence in the town of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. William Tap, born around 1520, was a successful landowner and yeoman in the area. His descendants continued to reside in Chipping Norton for several generations.

Another individual of note was Thomas Tap, a clergyman and scholar who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Born in Gloucestershire around 1570, he attended Oxford University and later became the Rector of Haseley, Warwickshire, where he served until his death in 1631.

During the English Civil War, a Captain Edward Tap distinguished himself as a Royalist commander fighting for King Charles I. He played a role in several battles, including the Siege of Gloucester in 1643.

In the 18th century, the Tap surname gained further recognition through the work of Nathaniel Tap, a renowned clockmaker from London. His intricate timepieces, crafted between 1720 and 1760, were highly sought after by wealthy patrons and collectors.

As the centuries progressed, the Tap surname spread across various regions of England, with notable concentrations in counties like Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire. While the name retains its historical roots, it has also become dispersed globally through emigration and migration.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tap

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

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

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

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