Surname Piper - Meaning and Origin

Unexpected Revelations: Discovering Ancestral Roots through iGENEA DNA Test

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery through the iGENEA DNA test, I explored the rich historical lineage linked to my surname Piper, and connected with a global community through a shared genetic history.

Z. Piper

Piper: What does the surname Piper mean?

The surname Piper is of English and Scottish origin and is considered an occupational name, derived from the Middle English term 'pipere'. It was used to refer to a person who played the musical instrument, a pipe or bagpipe. Frequently, last names were based on a person's occupation or trade, hence Piper would have been used to identify individuals who played these instruments, perhaps during festivals, ceremonies, or as a form of livelihood. It may also indicate a piper by the gates of heaven who played music for the new souls entering. This surname is widespread in Britain and Ireland, and instances of it can also be found in other English-speaking countries. Notable people with the last name include actor Billie Piper, jazz musician Nicholas Payton Piper, and writer and theologian John Piper.

Piper: Where does the name Piper come from?

The last name Piper is most commonly found in English speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. It originated in the Middle Ages in England, and was derived from the occupational surname of a piper or pipe player. It became more widespread during the Norman Conquest.

In the United States, the last name Piper is most common in the states of California, New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania. According to the 2020 U.S. census, these states hosted over 60,000 people with the last name Piper. Almost 10,000 of these people lived in California, with 8,200 living in New Jersey and 6,200 living in Florida.

The last name Piper is also common in Canada, where it is ranked at 495 out of all the surnames in the country. The majority of Canadians with the last name Piper are found in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.

In Great Britain, the last name Piper is most common in cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds. There were also 17,000 people in the UK with the last name Piper in 2020.

Overall, the last name Piper is a common name in many places around the world. It is especially prevalent in English speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Ireland.

Variations of the surname Piper

The surname Piper is an English occupational surname derived from a person who played the pipe or pipe instrument. With the prevalance of similar-sounding names and spellings, there are several variants, spellings, and surnames that also originated from the same English surname.

Variants of the Piper surname include Pipar, Pipere, and Pyper. The surname Pipar derived from the Middle English personal name “Pipa”, which was originally derived from the Latin word “pippius” meaning “long-tailed”. Pipere is similar in origin, also derived from the Latin word “piper”, which likewise means a “piper” or “pipe player”.

Pyper is derived from the Low German “piper” and “pipar”, indicating an occupational surname for a “pipe player”.

The use of similar-sounding names in spelling the Piper surname further complicates the derivation of the surname. These spellings include Piper, Piepier, Peepeer, Piere, Peppere, Poape, Pyper, and Peyper. All are valid variants and spellings of the Piper surname.

Variants of the Piper surname can also be found in other languages, for example, in French the Piper surname is spelled as “Pipier”. In Gaelic, the Piper surname is spelled as “Mac a’ Phìobaire”.

Finally, there are several surnames that have a similar origin as the Piper surname, such as Pipes, Pewter, Pipkin and Peppard. All of these surnames tell a story of the early English settlers and their occupations.

Famous people with the name Piper

• Piper Perabo: an American film and television actress.
• Billie Piper: an English actress and singer.
• Mark Piper: a professional British golfer.
• Robert Piper: a former professional American basketball player.
• Marlon Jackson: an American singer, songwriter, and dancer.
• David Piper: Race car and Grand Prix driver from South Africa.
• Michael Piper: American actor, writer, and producer.
• Lee Piper: former British track and field athlete.
• William Piper: American businessman and aircraft manufacturer.
• Hana Piper: Czechoslovakian-born Australian actress and singer.
• Julianne Piper: British actress and television presenter.
• Francine Marie Piper: American film and television actress.
• Will Piper: American professional ice hockey player.
• Grace Piper: actress, writer, and creator of the podcast ‘Grace + Podcast’.
• Stephen Piper: English baritone, record producer, and actor.
• Mark Piper: jazz bassist and composer from England.
• Leigh Piper: Canadian former actress and singer.
• Kirk Piper: Canadian former professional hockey player.
• Maria Piper: British model and television presenter.
• Nikki Piper: American former professional wrestler.

Other surnames

PipePipereitPipers