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The naper. 'napier,' or 'napper,' from Old French 'nape,' a cloth; French 'nappe,' a table-cloth. Diminutive 'nap-kin.'
King David n, in his wars with the English, about the year 1344, convocating his subjects to battle, the Earl of Lennox sent his second son, Donald, with such forces as his duty obliged him; and coming to an engagement where the Scots gave way, this Donald taking his father's standard from the bearer, and valiantly charging the enemy with the Lennox men, the fortune of the battle changed, and the Scots obtained the victory. After the battle, the king declared that they had all done valiantly, but that there was one among them who had na pier, no equal; he then granted to Donald the lands of Gosfield in Fifeshire, and bade him assume the name of Napier.
It is said that Donald, a son of the Earl of Lennox, for his bravery in battle, had his name changed by the king to 'Napier.' After the battle, as the manner is, every one advancing and setting forth his own acts, the king said unto them, "Ye have all done valiantly, but there is one among you who hath 'Na Pier,' " and the king gave him lands in Fife and Goffurd. The name came, however, from taking charge of the king's napery or linen at the coronation of English kings, an office held by William De Hastings, in the time of Henry I.
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