Surname Taplin - Meaning and Origin

Taplin: What does the surname Taplin mean?

Taplin is an Anglo-Saxon surname that originated in ancient England. The name is derived from the Old English "taeppe," which means "tap" (as in to tap a keg for alcohol), and "lin," a suffix denoting someone who dwells or works in a certain location. Therefore, the surname Taplin is likely an occupational one, typically given to someone who was a tavern-keeper or a worker in a tavern. This indicates job roles that would have been important for socializing and entertainment in rural England during this period. As with many old English surnames, variations in spelling of this name can be found including Tapley, Taplon, Taphouse and others. Overall, like many surnames, Taplin gives us a historical glimpse into the lives and occupations of our ancestors.

Taplin: Where does the name Taplin come from?

The surname Taplin is derived from the Middle English word "tapeline," meaning "measurement instrument." This suggests that the original bearer was most likely an expert in measurement or an official measurer of goods. The surname is most commonly found in England, with a less frequent presence in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. It can also be found in the United States and Canada, mainly in the form of descendants of English and Scottish immigrants.

In the United Kingdom, the distribution of the Taplin surname is fairly even; however, the highest concentration is in the south east, especially in the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire. Outside England, the family name is most commonly found in Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and in the United States.

In the United States, the Taplin surname is most commonly found in the Midwest and the South. A large concentration of the Taplin name can be found in New Jersey, Alabama, Texas, and North Carolina. In the Midwest, the surname is most common in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio.

Today, people bearing the Taplin surname can be found all over the world, with current concentrations in the countries mentioned above. The name has a long history, and its bearer can be proud of the tradition they carry with them.

Variations of the surname Taplin

Surnames of the same origin as Taplin include Taplyn, Tapeling, Taplen, Tapley, Taplens, Tapplyn, Tapling, Taplon, Taplins, Taplynne, Tappling, Tapplin, Tapple, Taplon, Tapplen and Tapplane.

Variant spellings of the surname Taplin include Taplen, Tapling, Taplon, Tapplyn, Tappling, Tapplin, Tapple, and Taplon.

Taplin is an English and Scottish variant of the surname Topling, which is derived from the Middle English word "top" meaning the top or summit of a hill, and the Norse word "lyn" which means a village. The surname dates back to the 12th century and can be found in both English and Scottish records.

The earliest recorded spelling of Taplin dates back to the 13th century in Worcestershire, England, when William Taplen was listed in the Subsidy Rolls.

In Scotland, Thomas Tapling was recorded in the year 1476 in Aberdeenshire, while Robert Taplinge was recorded in the year 16 and William Taplin in 1702 in Ayrshire. Across the Irish Sea in Ireland, William Taplin of County Wexford was listed in the 1798 census.

Taplin is now considered a relatively uncommon surname with less than 500 Taplins living in the UK today. In the United States, the surname is also quite rare, with just approximately one thousand bearing the surname.

Famous people with the name Taplin

• Bob Taplin: founding member of 1960s rock band The Box Tops
• Gail Taplin: former ice-skating champion turned sports coordinator
• Ruari Taplin: English actor mostly known for his portrayal of Nick Trotter in the TV series The Bill
• Alan Taplin: American keyboardist and composer
• Jack Taplin: former professional football player in the NFL
• John Taplin: English pianist and musical director
• Jimmy Taplin: Australian rules footballer playing for the Northern Blues Football Club
• David Taplin: British artist, curator and scientist
• Ali Taplin: British actress and voice artist
• Bert Taplin: American Major League Baseball player of the 1940s

Other surnames

Tapling