This is a derived from topographical or locational name which has been much changed by local dialect. It originates from the Olde English 'Ac - ope' meaning one who dwells by the place (or copse) of Oak trees, or possibly 'the meeting place by the Oaks'. The 'Oaks' have always been the most celebrated of the trees, and an Oak or copse was often the centre of village activities or the name of the village as in 'Acomb', near York. In this case the surname was originally almost entirely recorded at Rawcliffe by Goole, in the East Riding of Yorkshire from Sally Axup who was christened there on January 20th 1782. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ann Axup, which was dated May 15th 1759, married Robert Forrest at St. Peters, Leeds, during the reign of King George II, 'The Last Warrior King', 1727 - 1760. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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