This unusual name has two possible origins. The first being locational 'of Ypres (in Belgium)'. The assimilation of foreign names into English produces some interesting examples of almost total identity loss. Alternate spellings of the name from this source have included De Ipra (1140), Dipre (1185), De Ipres (1243) and Dypres (1296). The second suggestion is that the name derives from the medieval English 'dipper' meaning a 'diving bird' or 'kingfisher' and was originally given as a nickname to one skilled in diving or fishing. Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Dipere, Dipper, Diaper, etc.. One Johnas Diaper married Elizabeth Harrwth on July 25th 1568 at St. Andrew, Enfield, London and William, son of John Diaper, was christened at St. Botolph, Bishopsgate, London on July 2nd 1592. Alternate spellings include le Dipere (1227), Dipper (1520) and Diaper (1687) Buxhall, Suffolk. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Ipra, which was dated 1140 Seals of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Stephen, 'Count of Blois', 1135 - 1154. 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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