Sappington is a surname of English origin, likely locational in nature. It is derived from the place name Sapperton, a village in Gloucestershire, England. The place name itself comes from the Old English elements sapere, meaning "soap maker," and tun, meaning "enclosure, yard, or town." Thus, Sappington originally referred to someone who came from the "town of the soap makers."
Historical Context
The name Sappington gained prominence in the United States through early pioneer settlers. According to historical accounts, John and Jemima Sappington sent two sons and a son-in-law to explore what is now Sappington, Missouri, in 1804, following encouragement from Daniel Boone. The family purchased 1,920 acres of land, and the following year, the rest of the Sappington family arrived and settled the area. Their descendants continued to populate the region, and parts of present-day Crestwood and Sunset Hills were once part of the Sappington family lands. The house of Thomas Sappington, one of the original settlers, still stands and is maintained by the City of Crestwood.
Modern Geography
Today, Sappington is best known as a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Louis County, Missouri, named after the family. The community had a population of 7,995 at the 2020 census. The name thus continues to be associated with the St. Louis area, reflecting its deep roots in the region's settlement history.
Related Names
The surname is a variant of Sapperton, which also stems from the same English place name. As a locational surname, Sappington shares characteristics with other English surnames that denote geographic origins. Variants and related names may include the less common form Sappingen.
- Meaning: From the town of soap makers
- Origin: English, from Sapperton, Gloucestershire
- Type: Surname (locational)
- Usage regions: United States (especially Missouri), England
Sources: Wikipedia — Sappington, Missouri