The Delaware Indian word “Tuphanne” is where the name Tappan is derived from. It means cold water. Why it was named Old Tappan, no one knows, but it is believed that it was to distinguish it from Tappan, New York, of which Old Tappan was formerly a part. In 1704, Cosyn Haring, one of the original 16 parents, obtained a land grant from Queen Anne of England for most of the land which is now Old Tappan.
http://www.oldtappan.net/
