Surname Tarborough - Meaning and Origin
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Tarborough: What does the surname Tarborough mean?
The last name Tarborough is believed to be of British origin, specifically English. It is derived from a small town in the North Riding of Yorkshire called Thirsk, which was known by the Old English name of Trescheburg, meaning "fortified town." As such, Tarborough likely means someone who originally came from or had ties to this town.
The earliest known person to bear this surname was John atte Tarborow, who was recorded in the Poll Tax Returns of 1379 in Yorkshire. Other early records of Tarboroughs are found during the late-medieval period in the East Midlands and East Anglia as the surname spread throughout England.
It is believed the surname Tarborough may also have originated as an occupational name for a guard of the "borough," or small town. The "tarre" or "tar" part of the name likely refers to watchtower, as in "guard of the tower." While the meaning of this surname is unknown, it clearly refers to someone from a fortified town or an occupation related to town defense.
Order DNA origin analysisTarborough: Where does the name Tarborough come from?
The last name Tarborough is found primarily in the United Kingdom. It is the longest surviving surname in the Isles and originates from the Middle Ages in Yorkshire. Tarboroughs have been recorded in public documents since the 1500s and have a rich history of accomplishments.
In England, most Tarboroughs live in the West Midlands and East Midlands regions. There are also Tarboroughs in other parts of Europe, especially Ireland, Scotland and Sweden. There has been a noticeable rise in the number of Tarboroughs migrating to the United States in recent decades, particularly settling in Florida, California, and New York.
The Tarborough surname is relatively rare but also relatively well known for its contributions to the world. Historically, this family line includes many prominent figures such as Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Tarborough, who held a distinguished career in the British Navy from 1703 to 1715 and was known for his roles in both the Battle of Malaga and Battle of Cape Passaro.
The Tarboroughs have always been a proud family and their legacy still lives and thrives today. While the last name is mainly found in the U.K., the diaspora of this amazing and renowned family can be seen in many places around the world.
Variations of the surname Tarborough
The surname Tarborough has various variants, spellings, and associated surnames. These variants/alternate spellings are: Tarbrough, Tirborough, Tirburrow, Tiredborough, Tireburrow, Tarbarow, Tarrabough, and Terraburough. Some of the associated surnames include Torburrow, Tyrryborough, Clatterboar, and Thorburrow.
The origin of the Tarborough surname is known to have come from an Old English nickname tarror or tarra, meaning ‘shark’ or ‘wide-open stream’. The suffix -borough may be from the Old English burg, meaning ‘fortified stronghold’ or ‘fortified manor’. It may also be of Norse origin, from the Old Norse borg, which has the same meaning.
The surname is found in various records across England, mostly concentrated in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Sussex, and Oxfordshire. Despite its mainly English origin, some instances of the name have been found in Scotland and Ireland. There is also evidence that the Tarborough surname is found in the United States with ancestral links to English descent.
Overall, Tarborough is a relatively uncommon surname, with variations in spelling and associated names arising over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Tarborough
- Dave Tarborough: Retired British long-distance runner and Paralympic cyclist.
- David Tarborough: British aviator and World War II fighter ace.
- Edward Tarborough: Former police chief of Scotland Yard.
- Elizabeth Tarborough: British Olympic athlete and 2002 bronze medalist in the women’s 200 metres.
- George Tarborough: British actor who appeared in television series such as The Bill and Rumpole of the Bailey.
- Helen Tarborough: British artist and businesswoman.
- Henry Tarborough: Baron of Tarborough, a hereditary English barony created in 1711.
- John Tarborough: 18th century British Member of Parliament for Poole.
- Richard Tarborough: 17th century English politician and Member of Parliament for Lyme Regis.
- Robert Tarborough: British sailor and Royal Gazette newspaper publisher.
- Thomas Tarborough: British general and governor of the Leeward Islands.
- Tom Tarborough: British mountaineer and explorer who first surveyed Mount Kenya in 1919.
- William Tarborough: British politician and Member of Parliament for Coventry.