Napier Family History

English and Scottish: occupational name from Old French napier nappier nap(p)er(er) ‘one who looks after the napery or table-linen’ a derivative of Old French nappe ‘table-cloth napkin’. In Middle English Napier and Nap(p)er might also have denoted a maker of table cloths though this sense has not been recorded.

English: alternatively an occupational name from Nap(p)er from an unrecorded Middle English word for one who makes naps i.e. drinking cups or chalices (Middle English nap Old English hnæp). Napper could also be a nickname from Middle English nappere ‘one who sleeps or naps’ though this is the least likely of the alternatives.

American shortened form of Polish Napierala or a similar name.