Surname Tuplin - Meaning and Origin

Tuplin: What does the surname Tuplin mean?

The last name Tuplin is a toponymic surname derived from the Old English word “tup”, which means ‘dweller in a meadow’. The Old English “ling” is an additional element believed to have been added to further differentiate this family from others who may have taken “tup” as their surname.

‘Tuplein’, as it was known in its early form, first appears in the 13th century in an area of England known as the South West, particularly Devon and Cornwall. It is thought to originate from one particular family dynasty, probably living in the rural South West, who rose in social standing over time.

In the years that followed, Tuplin spread through Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Yorkshire. Of its many variations, the most common ones are Tuppling, Tupling, and Twinning.

It’s not surprising, then, that Tuplin families can also be found in other parts of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. The United States in particular saw a substantial migration of the Tuplin surname in the mid-1800s; individuals and families leaving the UK in search of more prosperous employment opportunities.

Those bearing the surname of Tuplin are all believed to be descended from the same ancient Tupling family line. Whether they remain in the UK or have traveled to further afield, these people are united in their shared heritage of descending from humble beginnings with a meadow-dweller roots that eventually rose in status.

Tuplin: Where does the name Tuplin come from?

The last name Tuplin is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. In particular, it is mainly concentrated in the South West region of England, where it is the 188th most common surname. It is less common elsewhere in the UK, with Scotland and Wales having a significantly lower count of people with this surname.

Tuplin is also a common surname in Canada and the United States. In Canada, it is especially concentrated on Vancouver Island and the Atlantic provinces, while in the United States it is strongest along the eastern half of the country, especially around New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Beyond North America, the surname is much less common, but there are still pockets around the world, such as in Brazil, the Netherlands, and Peru.

The earliest known mention of the Tuplin name dates back to around 1260, when an Adam Tuplin was recorded as holding property in Devonshire. The Tuplins were originally a medieval English family, with most likely Norman roots. The name is thought to derive from the words "two + plon" meaning "hill with two tops". It is possible that the two hilltops related to an ancestor's ownership of two hills in the same area.

Today, Tuplin remains a fairly unusual surname and those who have this name can take pride in their medieval English heritage.

Variations of the surname Tuplin

The surname Tuplin has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common spellings are Toppin, Toppen and Topping. Other variants include Tupling, Toplin, Toplyn, Tupel, Tuppin and Tuplen.

The Tuplin variation is thought to have originated from the Old English word “toppan”, which was derived from the Latin word for top or summit. This suggests the Tuplin surname was derived from someone living at a prominent point, such as a hill or high land.

The Tuplin surname is also found in various other areas of Europe, including Wales, Scotland, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. In Welsh, the surname Tugflin may be a variation of Tuplin. In Germany, the Tuplen surname is derived from the Middle High German word for top. In Scotland, the Topin and Topping versions of the Tuplin surname are likely derived from the Old English word “toppan”.

Due to immigration in the 19th century, the Tuplin surname is now found all over the world. This includes Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, India and many other countries. In some countries, the Tuplin name may have changed due to spelling variations and other language influences.

Famous people with the name Tuplin

• Sir Thomas Tuplin QC (lawyer)
• William Tuplin (physician, natural philosopher)
• Sir Roger Tuplin (British diplomat)
• William Tuplin, (athlete and cross-country runner)
• Brian Tuplin (writer and broadcaster)
• John Tuplin (painter and illustrator)
• Richard Tuplin (artist and professor of the arts)
• Sarah Tuplin (writer and memoirist)
• George Tuplin (Film and theatre director)
• Zoe Tuplin (singer and actor)
• David Tuplin (businessman and philanthropist)
• Edward Tuplin (olympic athlete and gold medal winner)
• Mark Tuplin (entrepreneur and entrepreneur mentor)
• Henry Tuplin (screenwriter and television producer)
• Robert Tuplin (composer and orchestrator)

Other surnames

Tupling