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

Tapper, 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 Tapper surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tapper in America

Tapper is the 12978th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tapper surname appeared 2,366 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 Tapper.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tapper 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 Tapper

The surname Tapper is of English origin, with roots dating back to medieval times. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'tæppere,' which referred to someone who tapped or drew liquids, particularly ale, from barrels or casks. This occupation was prevalent in villages and towns across England during the Middle Ages.

The name Tapper can be found in historical records from the 13th century onwards. One of the earliest known references is in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1273, where a person named Richard le Tappere is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that era.

In the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, a version of the name appears as 'Tappor,' which is believed to be an early variant of Tapper. This entry suggests that the surname may have existed even before the Norman Conquest of 1066, further solidifying its English roots.

The village of Tapping in Norfolk, England, is thought to have influenced the surname's development. Records from the 13th century indicate that individuals associated with this place were often referred to as 'de Tapping' or 'Tapping,' which eventually evolved into the modern spelling of Tapper.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the Tapper surname is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a certain Walter le Tapper is mentioned. This document, which recorded landholders in England, provides valuable insight into the surname's usage during that period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Tapper. One such figure was Sir William Tapper (c. 1497-1572), a prominent English merchant and philanthropist who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1557. Another was John Tapper (1613-1672), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

In the 18th century, there was Thomas Tapper (1732-1807), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London. Additionally, John Tapper (1770-1857) was a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and rose to the rank of Admiral.

The 19th century saw the birth of James Tapper (1819-1891), a British architect known for designing numerous churches and public buildings across England. His contemporary, William Tapper (1822-1905), was a renowned English artist and illustrator whose works depicted scenes from everyday life.

These examples demonstrate the widespread presence of the Tapper surname throughout the centuries, with individuals contributing to various fields and professions across England and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tapper

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

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

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

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