This unusual name is believed to be of Scottish origin and to derive from the Lands of Colp near Turriff in Aberdeen. The name development would seem to be from David Colp recorded in Aberdeen in 1503 to Culpin or Culping a patronymic variant which means "the son of Colp". Found in London in the 17th Century as Calpin it is first recorded in 1689 and as Calpen in 1709, whilst the modern spellings include Calpin and Culpan. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of George Culpin. which was dated 1673, married Hanna Gott at St. Mary le Bone, London during the reign of King Charles 11, known as "The Merry Monarch", 1660 - 1685. 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.