Surname Thorp - Meaning and Origin

Journey Through Time: Unraveling My Anglo-Saxon Heritage Through The Thorp Surname

From the bounds of an iGENEA DNA test emerged a captivating saga about the origins and historical journey of my surname, Thorp. Studded with revelations about its inception in Anglo-Saxon Britain, poignant mentions in historical texts, and movement across continents, the story of my lineage liberates the misconception that a surname is simply a name.

K. Thorp

Thorp: What does the surname Thorp mean?

The surname Thorp is of Old Norse origin and is derived from the word "þorp", which roughly translates to "hamlet" or "village". It's primarily used in the north of England, particularly in areas where there was significant Viking settlement such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. The surname signifies someone who came from a small village or settlement. It's also possible that it might have been used to refer to someone living on a farm or in a rural area, indicating an agricultural livelihood. The name has several variations including Thorpe, Tharp, and Throop. Its initial usage likely served to distinguish individuals by their place of residence during a time when first names were commonly repeating in the community.

Thorp: Where does the name Thorp come from?

Thorp is a surname that originated in northern England during the Middle Ages and is still quite common in various regions throughout the world today. In particular, the last name is currently most prevalent in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

In the United States, the surname Thorp is among the highest concentrations in the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Utah, and Michigan. Specifically, in Pennsylvania over 10,000 individuals have the last name Thorp, with a few thousand more in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Utah, and Michigan. Other populous states such as Texas, Ohio, and New York contain significant populations of Thorps.

In the United Kingdom, Thorp is most commonly found in Cumbria, a coastal county in northwest England. Other parts of England with high concentrations of the last name are Yorkshire, Lancashire, and London. Wales and Scotland also have several families with the Thorp name.

In Canada, Thorp is mainly concentrated in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta. Many Thorp families can also be found in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

In addition, Thorp is prominently found in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, making it a widely popular surname throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Thorp

The surname Thorp is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in the area now known as the United Kingdom. It is thought to derive from the Old English word þrop meaning homestead or outlying farm.

Thorp is the most common spelling of this surname, but there are many variants and spellings that have arisen over the years. Some of the common variants and spellings include Tharp, Tharpe, Thorpe, Tharpa, Thorpa, Thorpp, Thorppee and Thorppe. Other less common variants include Thorp, Tharppa, Thorppo, Thorper, Thorppa and Thorpée.

Surnames with a similar origin can also be found. These include Tharrington, Thirkettle, Thorington, Thorrington, Thurlton and Thurstin. All of these surnames have their roots in the Anglo-Saxon word for homestead or outlying farm.

In many cases, a surname may have been changed or adapted over time to reflect different ethnic identities, or even a change in residence. For instance, the surname "Thorp" may have been changed to "Thorpe" or "Tharpe" when families moved to different parts of the country. It may even have been adapted to reflect a family's new ethnic identity upon arrival in the United Kingdom.

The name Thorp is still very common in the United Kingdom today, and can be found in many parts of the country. Despite its Anglo-Saxon origin, the surname has managed to spread across the world and is found in many countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Thorp

• Robert Thorp: Actor best known for his roles in the 1970s films Capricorn One and the Babylon 5 spin-offs, Crusade and The Legend of the Rangers.
• Christian Thorp: British actor and stuntman who has appeared in films including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Casino Royale and The King's Speech.
• Bill Thorp: British-American actor who appeared in The Walking Dead, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.
• Chris Thorp: American actor and producer who starred in films including The Hunted and Bulletproof Monk. He is the founder and president of Polar Productions.
• Abraham Thorp: American actor who has performed on Broadway in Rock of Ages, Les Misérables and other productions. He has also appeared in many television shows.
• Mark Thorp: British actor who has appeared in films such as The Theory of Everything and Justice League.
• Elsa Thorp: British actress who is best known for her role as Mary Poppins in the popular stage production.
• Alan Thorp: American actor and producer who has appeared in films such as The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension and Beverly Hills Cop.
• Danny Thorp: British actor and musician who gained fame for his role in the ITV drama Cold Feet.
• Dov Thorp: American actor and film producer who was responsible for such films as The Aviator and Mission: Impossible.

Other surnames

Thorthor StratenThorbahnThorbanThorbeckThorbeckeThorellThorhorstThorichThorkengtonThorkentonThorkingtonThorkintonThorkyngtonThorkyntonThorlaThorleyThormaehlenThormählenThormalenThormannThormeierThormeyerThornThornalThornberThornberryThornboroughThornborrowThornbrough