Sharp

Origin and Meaning: Sharp is a common surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "scearp," which means sharp or cutting. The surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who was sharp-witted or keen in some aspect of their character.

History: The surname Sharp has ancient roots in England, dating back to at least the 8th century. It was originally found in the Anglo-Saxon region of the country. Over time, individuals with the surname Sharp spread across England and beyond, leading to the widespread presence of the name today.

Notable Bearers:

  • Cecil Sharp (1859-1924): An English folk musicologist and founder of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.
  • William Sharp (1855-1905): A Scottish writer and poet who wrote under the pseudonym Fiona MacLeod.
  • Kelly Sharp: An American musician known for her work with the band Brimstone Coven.

Variants: Variants of the surname Sharp include Sharpe and Sharper.

Popularity: Sharp is a relatively common surname in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. It is often ranked among the top 1000 surnames in the world by frequency.

Coat of Arms: The Sharp family coat of arms typically features a design of a chevron with two stars above it and a lion's head or a griffin's head as a crest.

Famous Name: One of the most well-known examples of the surname Sharp is in the character of the young wizard Percival Graves, who is known as "Percy" Sharp in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

References:

  • Hanks, P., & Hodges, F. (1988). A dictionary of surnames.
  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1991). A dictionary of English surnames.

There are approximately 37,409 people named Sharp in the UK. That makes it the 200th most common surname in Britain. Around 574 in a million people in Britain are named Sharp.

Surname type: Nickname

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert

Female

  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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