366 Global REAPE Family Members

REAPE Family History

Recorded in a range of spellings including Reap, Reape, Reep, Reepe, Reaper, Reper, Repper, and Ripper, this is an English medieval surname. It is job descriptive, and has two possible origins and meanings. Firstly it may be concerned with harvesting from the Olde English pre 7th century word "repan" meaning to reap, and therefore possibly an agricultural contractor who sold his services, or it may be to do with early transport. The late Professor Reaney, probably the world's leading authority on the origins of English surnames, believed that it may be associated with the Olde English word "hripe" meaning a basket used as a pannier, and hence a description for either a carrier, one who used pack horses, or possibly a maker of pannier baskets.