Epes

Epes is a rare English surname that has occasionally been used as a given name, particularly in the American South. Its exact etymology is uncertain, but it is believed to be a topographical surname, meaning it was derived from a feature of the landscape where the original bearer lived. Possible derivations include Old English 'efes' (eaves, edge of a roof or forest) or a variant of 'Epps', which itself is thought to be a patronymic from a short form of a Germanic personal name like Eburhard (meaning 'brave as a boar').

The name's usage as a first name is largely confined to specific families, often as a way to honor a maternal surname or a prominent ancestor. This practice was more common in earlier centuries, leading to its very limited and often regionalized distribution as a given name.