Don Heap made a comment on my previous post that I think is worth copying in here. Thanks very much Don.
The Heap name and its variants originated from Hep 3 areas of land held by a Robert de Hep. The Ville of Hep and Robert de Hep are first mentioned in various Charters of 1210 mainly charters of Roger de Montbegon Lord of Hornby Castle and a surety Baron to the Magna Carta. Robert de Hep was murdered in 1246 by a Peter Charitte. by 1300 the name changed to Hepe. A Charles Heape of Rochdale and his brother carried out research into the name and published their results in a book called "Records of the Family of Heape". Copies of the book can be found in the Oldham and Rochdale Public Libraraies and the library of the University of Lancaster. The only other early reference to Hep I have found is that it was the original name of Shap Abbey...Hep Abbey. By 1300 and 1400 members of the Hep clan had moved to areas near to Hep ie Bury,Oldham, Middleton,Rochdale, Staveley, Prestbury, areas.Robert de Hep in addition to the Land at hep owned land at Failsworth near Oldham/Manchester and Leire in Leicestershire. The Heape Court of Arms where granted to a Thomas Heape of Prestwich
Nice to know there are quite a few of us out there! Looking for Anthony Joseph Heaps (first names could be reversed). He would be about 60 to 65 and in the Preston area. If anyone can help, it would be much appreciated.
Posted by: Dave Heaps | 05/31/2010 at 04:49 PM