Pippin
Usually a surname from the old French personal name Pepin, though in some cases it may also reflect a place-name or pear-orchard byname.
The #4,818 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 42,144 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The strongest traditional explanation is that Pippin comes from the old French personal name Pepin, famous in the Frankish royal house. Historical surname writers also linked Pepin to an older Germanic nickname, perhaps based on a word imitating a chirp, squeak, or pipe-like sound. A second, less common explanation in older English sources connects some forms of Pippin with a pear orchard or pear-tree name, influenced by similar-looking spellings.
History
Medieval records show the name in England fairly early, but not in large numbers, and later writers thought it never became fully naturalized there. Some bearers may descend from the personal name, while others may represent local or descriptive surnames that converged in spelling. The surname is still relatively uncommon in the United States today.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The famous Frankish ruler Pepin the Short is one reason this surname has a royal historical feel.
From the historical record
“in France. PIPPIN, V. Peppin, Pepin. William Pippin.— flawd. Rolls. PIRIE TfEng.) Dweller by a Pear -Tree PIRRIE J {M.E. pirie,pyrie, O.E. pirige, *purige'\ Piries [some MSS. pyries'\ andplUmtrees Were puffed to the erthe. — Piirs Plowman, 2503-4.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)