Surname Tharpe - Meaning and Origin

Tharpe: What does the surname Tharpe mean?

The surname Tharpe is of English origin, derived from a location-based name in the medieval period. The exact meaning is unclear as the origin of this surname could be attributed to various places in England. It is believed to be a variant of the English surname 'Thorpe', which means 'hamlet' or a 'small village' in Old Norse language. The surname could refer to someone who originally lived in or was associated with such a location. Like other surnames derived from place names, Tharpe may have been first used by local landowners and later adopted by those who lived on their lands. Eventually, it would have been carried to other parts of the world through migration and settlement. Despite its potential origins, there is no guarantee that the last name Tharpe will have any specific meaning for any individuals bearing the name today. This is because family names are typically passed down unchanged regardless of any changes in language, culture, or geography.

Tharpe: Where does the name Tharpe come from?

The last name Tharpe is most commonly found in the United States. The most populated states for Tharpe are Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina. Tharpes can also be found in the United Kingdom, with roughly 500 individuals carrying the name in England and Wales. Some smaller countries may also have Tharpe families, such as Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.

The origin of the name Tharpe is unclear; however, various experts posit that it could be of English, French, Dutch, or German origin.

In the United States, the estimated population of individuals with the name Tharpe is roughly 6,800. Many Tharpes in the US can trace their family back to colonial times when the family served in the Revolutionary War. While some of the original families returned to the UK, many remained in the US.

Despite its fewer numbers, the Tharpe last name has left a lasting mark in US History. William J. Tharpe, a WWII vet, earned a Silver Star for his heroic actions during a battle in 1945, while other Tharpes have gone on to become successful politicians, entrepreneurs, doctors, and athletes.

Today, many Tharpes are scattered throughout the US and UK, living happily and representing the legacy of the family name.

Variations of the surname Tharpe

The surname Tharpe is an Anglo-Saxon surname with a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Thorp, Thorpe, Thorpfe, Tharp and Thorpfeld. It is a habitational topographical name for someone from Thorpe, which is a village in Lincolnshire named after the Old Norse Thorp meaning ‘outlying farmstead or hamlet’. In other areas, such as Derbyshire, Wales, Scotland, Staffordshire and Yorkshire, it is also derived from the Old English word throp meaning ‘an outlying area’, and in some cases it is derived from the Old English elements þorp 'outlying hamlet' and spreng 'grass-filled clough'.

The variations and variants of the surname Tharpe are Thorpe, Thorp, Thorpfe, Tharpen, Tharp and Thorpfelt. Additionally, alternate spellings include Thorpe, Thorp, Thorpfe, Tharpen, Tharp and Thorpfelt. Some of the surnames of similar origin are Thorp, Thorpfeld, Tharpeshyle, Tharpsen and Tharpson.

In some cases, the spelling has been changed to Thorp by the registration authorities. In Scotland, Tharpe is frequently found as Thorp. The Dutch Gerstenberger family occurred in Dutch and Germanpoll.

A patronymic form of Tharpe is Tharpesen, which is a patronym coming from the father’s given name Tharp. A patronymic is a name derived from the name of the father or the mother. For example, the surname “Imogen Tharpesen” would indicate that Imogen’s father is named Tharp.

Tharpe is an uncommon but widespread surname. Some famous people with the surname Tharpe include: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who is a pioneering musician; Margaret Tharpe, who was an American lawyer and civil rights protester; and Mathilde Tharpe, who was an American jazz singer.

Famous people with the name Tharpe

• Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915–1973) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and guitarist who attained great fame in the 1930s and 1940s. She is credited with introducing a more aggressive style of guitar playing to gospel music. She has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame.
• Hot Lips Page: Hot Lips Page (1908-1954) was an American jazz and big band trumpeter and singer who achieved success in the 1930s and 1940s. His greatest hit was with his “Hep Cats,” which he composed and for which he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
• Riley Tharpe: Riley Tharpe (1912–1954) was an early African American country musician who helped bridge the gap between country and gospel music. He released a number of singles, including some of the earliest recordings of gospel music on the Decca label.
• Kennedy Tharpe: Kennedy Tharpe (born 1994) is an American country singer-songwriter who reached 2 finalist spots for the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2016. He is known for his upbeat sound and real-life lyrics.
• Tyler Tharpe: Tyler Tharpe (born 1985) is an American country singer-songwriter who released his debut album “One More Try” in 2010. He is known for his traditional country sound and emotional lyrics. He has opened for notable acts such as Gary Allan and Wynonna Judd.
• Flash Terry: Flash Terry (1922–1980) was a pioneering African American blues artist on the Chicago blues scene, releasing a number of singles on the Chess Records label. He is best known for his signature slide guitar playing style.

Other surnames

Tharp