HARPUR
Harpur
Harpur is a surname of English origin, mainly found in the Midlands and East Anglia regions of England. The name is derived from the Old English words "hearg" meaning temple or altar, and "pur" meaning enclosure. This suggests that the name may have originally denoted someone who lived near a heathen temple or enclosure.
The Harpur surname dates back to at least the 12th century in England, with early records showing it concentrated in areas such as Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Over time, various branches of the Harpur family have spread across different parts of the country.
Notable individuals with the surname Harpur include Richard Harpur, an English politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Bedford in the 15th century, and Charles Harpur, an Australian poet of the 19th century.
The Harpur surname has seen variations in spelling over the centuries, including Harpur, Harpore, and Harper. Today, it remains a relatively uncommon surname in the UK and is often associated with families with roots in the historical counties of England where the name originated.
There are approximately 388 people named Harpur in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Harpur.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Brian
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Neil
- Nicholas
- Richard
- Robert
- Sean
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Alison
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Karen
- Kathleen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Rosemary
- Sharon
- Susan