Pippin Family History

This interesting surname derives from the old French personal name Pepis, old Germanic given name Pepin, introduced into Britain by the Normans. It is of uncertain origin, perhaps originally a byname meaning "Terrible" or "Awe inspiring", from a root "bib" meaning to tremble. It was borne by several Frankish Kings, most notably Pepin le Bref, father of Charlemagne, and remained popular throughout the Middle Ages. The surname is first recorded in the late 11th Century, (see below). One, Henry Pipin, is noted in the 1195 Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire and John Pepin appears as a witness in the 1202 Norfolk Feet of Fines.