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

Tharps, 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 Tharps surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tharps in America

Tharps is the 107669th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tharps surname appeared 165 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Tharps.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tharps 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 Tharps

The surname Tharps has its roots in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "thar," meaning "rough" or "coarse." This suggests that the name may have been initially descriptive, referring to someone with a rugged or hardy appearance or demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Tharp." This medieval census, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that era.

The name Tharps is believed to have originated in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Northumberland. It is thought to have been initially associated with specific locations or settlements, as evidenced by the presence of place names like Tharp and Tharpville in these regions.

In the 13th century, records show a William Tharp mentioned as a landowner in the Yorkshire area. Another notable individual was John Tharps, a prominent merchant and trader who lived in Northumberland during the 15th century.

As the surname spread across England, it underwent various spelling variations, including Tharp, Tharpe, and Thorpe. These variations can be attributed to the inconsistencies in record-keeping and the evolution of language over time.

One notable figure with the surname Tharps was Sir Robert Tharps (1587-1657), a prominent English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Charles I. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, initially supporting the Parliamentarian cause but later switching allegiances to the Royalists.

Another individual of note was Elizabeth Tharps (1670-1738), a renowned author and poet from Derbyshire. Her works, which explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality, were widely celebrated during her lifetime.

In the 18th century, the name Tharps gained recognition through the achievements of Admiral Thomas Tharps (1724-1799). He served in the Royal Navy and was honored for his bravery and leadership during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

As the centuries progressed, the Tharps surname continued to spread across England and eventually to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval times, it has remained a part of the diverse tapestry of English surnames, reflecting the rich history and cultural heritage of the nation.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tharps

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

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 Tharps 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 Tharps 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 Tharps was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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