Find out how popular the last name Tharpe is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Tharpe.

Tharpe, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Tharpe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tharpe in America

Tharpe is the 7421st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tharpe surname appeared 4,486 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Tharpe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tharpe to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Tharpe

The surname Tharpe is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "throp," which referred to a small village or hamlet. It's possible that the name was initially used to identify someone who lived in such a settlement.

In the Domesday Book, a survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are several references to places with names similar to Tharpe, such as Throp and Thropp. These entries suggest that the name was already in use at the time and may have been associated with specific locations.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the surname Tharpe was John Thorpe, a notable English architect and surveyor who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was responsible for designing several significant buildings, including the Banqueting House in London.

Another notable figure with the surname Tharpe was Sir Robert Thorpe, a prominent English judge who served as the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1356 to 1368. He played a crucial role in the legal and judicial systems of his time.

In the 18th century, William Tharpe (1735-1809) was a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War. He was involved in several significant naval battles and received recognition for his bravery and leadership.

The surname Tharpe has also been associated with several notable writers and artists. One example is Marcellus Tharpe (1855-1931), an American painter known for his landscapes and portraits, who was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Another individual with the surname Tharpe was Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973), an influential American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was a pioneer of rock and roll music. She is often referred to as the "Godmother of Rock and Roll" for her contributions to the genre.

While the surname Tharpe has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite variations in spelling, such as Tharp and Thorp, the name's connection to the Old English word "throp" remains a significant part of its history and origin.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tharpe

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Tharpe.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Tharpe was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Tharpe has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Tharpe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tharpe, please contact us.

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