Napier (surname)

Napier
Family name
Region of origin	Scotland
Language(s) of origin	English
Related names	Napper, Napierala

Napier /ˈneɪpɪər/ is a surname with an English, Scottish or Polish origin. The British surname Napier is derived from an occupational name for someone who sold or produced table linen; or for a naperer which was a servant who was responsible for the washing and storage of linen in a medieval household. The surname is derived from the Middle English, Old French napier, nappier which is a derivative of the Old French nappe meaning "table cloth". The earliest occurrences of the surname is of a Peter Napier in 1148 in the Winton Domesday; Ralph (le) Naper, le Napier in 1167–71; and Reginald le Nappere in 1225. The surname can also be a shortened form of the Polish surname Napierala.

...
Wikipedia