Surname Harp - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Harp: What does the surname Harp mean?
The last name Harp is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to be derived from the Old English term "hearp", which stands for the musical instrument, "harp." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who played the harp or made harps. During ancient times, it was common to use last names as an indicator of a person's occupation or the trade they were involved in. Hence, the last name Harp is likely to have been an occupational surname. It should be noted that the harp is a symbol of love and hope and it often has a sacred significance in the ancient cultures. In some cases, the name can also be locational, deriving from places named Harp(e) in England. Variations of the surname Harp include Harpe, Harpur, Harper, and Harpor. All these variants might have similar meanings, each related to the harp in some way.
Order DNA origin analysisHarp: Where does the name Harp come from?
The surname Harp is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the old English 'Hearp', meaning 'harp'. It was used as a nickname for a person who played the harp or who had curly hair similar to the strings of a harp. It could also be a metonymic occupational name for a harp maker.
The Harp surname was first found in East Cheshire, England. Records of this surname in England date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Over time, it spread to other parts of the British Isles, such as Scotland and Ireland.
In modern times, the name is most frequently found in the United States, specifically in the states of Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. It is also relatively common in England, particularly in the regions of Cheshire and Yorkshire. Aside from these countries, it is less frequently found throughout the rest of the world.
Despite its musical origins, there don't seem to be any particular concentrations of the name in locations known for music. Rather, like many surnames, its distribution appears to have been more influenced by patterns of migration and settlement.
Variations of the surname Harp
The surname Harp typically has its origins in England and Ireland, though variants and similar surnames can be found across a range of geographic locations. Variations and alternate spellings of the surname Harp could potentially include Harpe, Harpy, Harpp, Harpper, and Hap. This name can also be stemmed from the German surname "Harpf" and the Dutch variant "Harp". In certain cases, doubling of the letters can occur, such as Harpp or Harrp.
The surname can also have locational surnames derived from the name such as De Harp, Van Harp or Harpstock. In terms of surnames of the same origin, these can include occupational or descriptive names relating to the instrument like Harper, Harpist, Harpman or Harpmaker. There could also be non-English variations too, for example, the French Harpe or the German Harfner, both of which reference the harp player's occupation.
Keep in mind that surname spellings have often changed over centuries with migration, translation, and shifts in language and alphabets. For genealogical purposes, exploring different spellings or closely related names might reveal additional information.
Famous people with the name Harp
- John Harp: An American multi-time National Rodeo Champion.
- LeAnn Rimes: A country music star who is known for singing “Blue”.
- Beau Harp: An American Major League Baseball Player and Coach.
- Paul Harp: A British Premier League footballer who plays for Crystal Palace.
- Gable Harp: A former National Football League running back.
- Aron Harp: A contestant on the show Survivor.
- Richard Harp: The founder of the Harp Barbecue Company.
- Edward Harp: A prolific artist and illustrator who created the iconic Harp of Faith design.
- Archie Harp: A former American Basketball Association All-Star.
- Joe Harp: A British MMA fighter and former UFC Lightweight champion.