As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

From the manor of Temple, in Wellesborough, Leicestershire, which name was given by the old Earl of Leicester, one of the Knights Templars, who usually gave the name of Temple to their lands.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

TEMPLE. The pveceptorles or priories of the Knights-Templars were often called Temples, as Temple-Bruer, Temple-Newsham, &c., and even manorial residences and estates, belonging to them, obtained the same dignified appellation. The tenant or bailiff of such a property was sometimes kuQwn by the surname At-Temple, or Templeman ; for example at Sompting, co. Sussex, where this order possessed lands, Peter at Temple is named in the Nona Eeturn of loil. In the previous centmy, De Temple, Du Temple, Le Templer, &c., occur in H.R.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.