THORP
The surname Thorp is a locational family name of Anglo‑Saxon and Old Scandinavian provenance. Its origin lies in the Old Norse word þorp, which translates as “hamlet” or “small village”. In the north of England, especially in areas with a strong Viking heritage such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, the name was bestowed upon individuals who hailed from or dwelt near such settlements.
As a topographic surname, Thorp was typically adopted by those who moved away from their birthplace and were accordingly identified by the name of the place they left. The name grew from the Old Norse or Old Danish element thorp and occasionally from the pre‑7th century Old English throp, indicating an outlying farm dependent upon a larger village. Thus, the surname reflects an agricultural lifestyle, often associated with rural habitation.
Historical records show the first recorded spelling of the name as William de Torp in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland in 1158, during the reign of King Henry XI. This early attestation confirms that the surname was already established in the English language hundreds of years before modern times. A later example is the journey of a William Thorp, who left London on the ship Expectation in April 1635 for the Island of Providence, bringing his wife Elizabeth and their two‑year‑old daughter. Such migrations illustrate the spread of the surname beyond the British Isles into the American colonies.
Variations of the surname are common, reflecting spelling changes over time and geographic migration. The most frequent variants are Thorpe, Tharp and Throop, while less common forms include Thurp, Throupp, Thripp and Tharp. The presence of these variants demonstrates how the surname has adapted to different linguistic environments, whether within the United Kingdom or abroad.
In contemporary times, the surname Thorp remains widespread. It is most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire and London, though it can also be found in Wales and Scotland. In the United States, significant concentrations occur in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Utah and Michigan, with many individuals bearing the name also residing in Texas, Ohio and New York. The surname has also spread to Canada, with notable populations in Ontario and Alberta; to Australia and New Zealand; and to South Africa.
An escutcheon associated with the name depicts a silver background crowned by a red lion in a salient stance, with an orle of blue fleurs‑de‑lis. This heraldic device is attributed to a family of the name and symbolises the martial and noble heritage associated with the name.
In sum, the surname Thorp is a historically enriched family name that echoes the Norse and Anglo‑Saxon past of northern England. Its etymology, geographic associations, variant forms, and enduring presence across several continents attest to its significance in the genealogical narrative of English and European ancestry.
Typical given names associated with the Thorp surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Simon
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Alison
- Ann
- Caroline
- Elizabeth
- Jennifer
- Joanne
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Thorp in...
Braille
⠞⠓⠕⠗⠏
Morse
-....---.-..--.
Semaphore
There are approximately 4,106 people named Thorp in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,268th most common surname in Britain. Around 63 in a million people in Britain are named Thorp.
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
Famous people named Thorp
- Richard Thorp - Actor (1932 to 2013)
- Will Thorp - Actor
- Charles Thorp - Archdeacon of Durham (1783 to 1862)
- Angie Thorp -
- George Thorp - Officer of the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary Wars (1777 to 1797)
- Charles Thorp - Cricketer (1882 to 1953)
- Philip Thorp - Cricketer (1911 to 1)
- Thomas Thorp - Archdeacon of Bristol; British Anglican priest (1797 to 1877)
- Paul Thorp - Speedway rider
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.