Show ContentsRipon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Ripon

What does the name Ripon mean?

The ancestry of the name Ripon dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the region of Ripon in Hevingham. Ripon is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Ripon family

The surname Ripon was first found in the cathedral city of Ripon in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Today this market town located on the River Ure boasts as one of the oldest places where a monastery has stood since the 7th century. One of the first on record was Roger de Ripun who was listed of burgess of Aberdeen in 1271. Ten years later in 1281, records show Henry de Ripon was listed as a witness to a charter in Dundee. A few years later, Walter de Rypon or Rypun was burgess of Edinburgh in 1296.

Early History of the Ripon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ripon research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1751 and 1836 are included under the topic Early Ripon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ripon Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ripon have been found, including Ripon, Rippon, Rippin and others.

Early Notables of the Ripon family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sire William Ripon


Ripon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ripon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Ann Ripon, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Empress" in 1865
  • Hannah P. Ripon, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1880 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Ripon (post 1700) +

  • George Frederick Samuel Robinson Ripon (1827-1909), English statesman
  • Frederick John Robinson Ripon (1782-1859), English statesman


The Ripon Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Frangas non flectes
Motto Translation: Thou may'st break, but shalt not bend me.


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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