Background: Chapman is an English word for one who bought and sold, a dealer of any kind, gradually superseded by teh French 'marchand' which has given us Marchant and Merchant. As this new word was used by the wealthier people and those with continental connections, so 'chapman' went down in the world, narrowing in meaning until it came to signify nothing more than a Peddler or Packman and finally dropped out of use altogether.
Variations: Cepeman, Cypman, Cypmann, Chepmon, Caepmon, Shapman, Chapman, Kaufman.
More Info: http://heraldry.celticradio.net/search.php?id=101
Discussion of this family is welcomed.
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