Older authorities refer to him as
Lucius Appius Maximus Norbanus, combining
Pliny the Younger's mention of him ("Lappius Maximus") with a garbled passage from the
Epitome de Caesaribus ("Norbanus Lappius") where his name is combined with the name of the governor of
Raetia,
Titus Flavius Norbanus. Although his correct name is provided by a
military diploma from
Suhozem in Bulgaria, some authorities persisted in giving the wrong name. The
polyonymy of his name indicates an adoption; according to Olli Salomies, he was born a Lappius Maximus adopted by an Aulus Bucius. Salomies also notes that "all A. Lappii seem to have something to do with the senator".
Ronald Syme notes the
gentilicium "'Lappius' is very rare." An inscription at Rome provides the name of his wife, Aelia. Salomies writes that Lappia A.f. Tertulla, mentioned in a Roman inscription () "is probably this man's daughter". == Career ==