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SHIPP Family History

This unusual name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is an occupational surname for a mariner, or perhaps, occasionally, a ship or boat-builder. The derivation of the name is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "scip", ship, in Middle English "schip". In a very few cases, the surname may be topographical in origin, denoting residence "at the sign of the ship", at a house, shop or tavern which had a sign depicting a ship hanging outside it. An example of such a surname derivation occurs in early records of the City of Bristol of 1230, where one Ralph at Shippe is recorded, and "Richard Stonham atte Shippe withouten Crepulgate" is noted in London in 1423.