Surname Troop - Meaning and Origin

Troop: What does the surname Troop mean?

The surname Troop is of Old Norse origin, derived from the word "þorp" which means "hamlet" or "village". It is a topographic surname given to a person who lived in a hamlet or a small village. It was typically used to distinguish people who lived in different localities with the same name or those who had moved from their original home and settled elsewhere, carrying with them their village's name as a means of identification. However, over time, this geographical tag turned into a family surname. The surname Troop is widespread in northern European countries, particularly Scotland, where migrations from the Old Norse-speaking world were prevalent. It is important to note that, like many other surnames, the spelling and pronunciation have experienced various changes over the centuries, resulting in a variety of versions like Thorp, Thorpe, Throp, and Throop.

Troop: Where does the name Troop come from?

The last name Troop is quite common in the United States and Canada. It is especially prevalent in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Michigan. It can also be found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and France.

The North American Troops are most likely descended from immigrant families who came over from the British Isles during colonial times. The Ohio Troops can be traced to the Quaker settlers who settled in and around Pennsylvania’s Chester County before moving out to the surrounding states during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Troop can be found among other surnames in many US Census records, but most notably in the 1800s. A significant number of Troops appeared in the U.S in this period, indicating that it was an established family line at the time.

In France, the Troop name can be traced to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Afterward, some founders of the surname Troop moved to France and it is likely their descendants took the name with them.

The modern spelling of the Troop name began to emerge in the early 19th century when more formality began to be adopted in relation to surname spellings.

Today, the Troop name is popular among English-speaking countries with many families carrying on with its legacy.

Variations of the surname Troop

The surname Troop is thought to originate from either Old French or Old German origins and can be found spelled in many different ways. Variants of the surname include Troops, Troopes, Tropp, Troppes, Trooper, Troup, Trooupe, Troupe and Troupes. It is believed that the surnames Troop and Trooper may have originated from the Anglo-Norman French word ‘trope’ or ‘trooper’, meaning "mounted soldier, horseman". This could refer to someone who was a part of a medieval cavalry troop or regiment.

The surname is also thought to originate from the Old German word ‘Trup’ or ‘Trupp’, which was used to denote a small group of people. It is believed that this could refer to a group of people from the same location or settlement. This could also refer to a military unit or company.

The Troop surname has a great deal of variety in how it is spelt. The most common variants of the surname are Troop, Troops, Trooper and Troup. The other variants are not as common but are still as valid. The spelling of the surname will change depending on which part of the world it is from. It is important to note that Troop is more common in English speaking countries such as the United States and Australia, where as Troup is more common in Scotland and in parts of England.

Famous people with the name Troop

• Tim Troop: former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Michael Troop: animal behavior expert and National Geographic Explorer
• Jim Troop: English actor
• Barbara Troop: American television and film actress
• Samuel H. Troop: former American military officer
• Jim Troop: English footballer
• Laura Troop: author and teachers
• Senator Cardiss Troop: retired American attorney and politician
• Alexander Troop: New Zealand political leader
• Dr. John Troop: English author and scholar

Other surnames

TroodTroopeTroost