Surname Tarbrough - Meaning and Origin
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Tarbrough: What does the surname Tarbrough mean?
The last name Tarbrough is of English origin and is thought to be derived from two Old English words, tār (“thornbush”) and burh (“fortification”). The exact origin of the name is uncertain, but a possible source is Tarboro, a small village in Northamptonshire, England. The name could have been taken from the village or applied to someone who lived near a thornbush.
Tarbrough can be found in English records as far back as the 14th century. Early documents include a writ of summons from 1370 for William de Terborough; and in the 16th century it is recorded that Gilbert Tarbrough was a subscriber to the imposition imposed on Oxfordshire in 1523. It is also likely that the name may have been introduced to America during the colonial era.
The surname Tarbrough is now found in areas of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is not among the top 1000 surnames in the US, however it is estimated that there are approximately 2000 people in the US bearing the name. Despite its small numbers, the name continues to be found worldwide, a testament to its history and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisTarbrough: Where does the name Tarbrough come from?
The last name Tarbrough is most commonly found in parts of England, especially the Midlands region. It is predominantly associated with some of the rural counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Herefordshire.
Researchers have found that the earliest recorded occurrence of the name was 1221, when an Adam de Tarbreogh was listed in the Inquest for 1219-21 of the county Worcestershire. It is believed to derive from the Old English personal name Tadwe, + ‘burgh’ meaning a fortified place; thus, the name literally means “Tadwe’s fort”, suggesting the family originated at some fortified place.
Today, the Tarbrough surname is found most often in and around the West Midlands area, with smaller numbers in the East Midlands, London, Lancashire and Staffordshire. Census records between 1912 and 1940 reveal that roughly 1,880 people in England bore the name Tarbrough during this time period.
Due to the great work of genealogists, it is now possible to trace the family back in history and find out the origin of those who now bear the Tarbrough name. While its origins lie in England, there are many scattered families throughout the world today, including the United States, Canada and Australia.
Variations of the surname Tarbrough
Tarbrough is a comparatively rare English surname that currently has several variants in spelling. It is derived from an Old English phrase meaning ‘thorn-enclosed.’ The variations include Tarbrew, Tarbrow, Tarbarrow, Tarbarou, Tarbrough Sport, Tarbrough-Smith, Tarberrow, Tarbur, Tarburrow and Tarburrow.
The surname Tarbrough dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was first used as a name to describe the physical environment. People at the time lived in isolated communities and the landscape was often rough and rugged. The suffix –brough indicated a fortified enclosure or castle, while the prefix tar (sometimes spelled tor) was used to describe the large, dense thorns that often surrounded these dwellings.
The Tarbrough spelling of the name is the most common variant, while Tarbrew is the second most often used spelling. Other variants, such as Tarbarrow and Tarburrow, are also found, though less frequently.
The Tarbrough name can be found across the globe, with various variations appearing in different locations. In England, for example, the most common variant is Tarbrough, while in the United States and Canada, the spellings Tarburrow and Tarbarrow are more prevalent.
Tarbrough can also be found as a surname variant with a middle name. Examples of these include Tarbrough Smith and Tarbrough Patterson. The use of a middle name or initials, as opposed to an entirely separate surname, is often a way to connect diverse branches of a family, as well as maintain a sense of tradition.
Famous people with the name Tarbrough
- Da’Vante Adams: NFL wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers
- Relja Popovic: Serbian singer-songwriter and producer
- Damani Tarbrough: Former NFL wide receiver
- Raymond Tarbrough: A former baseball player in the Negro Leagues
- Mike Tarbrough: A NASCAR driver from the CART/IndyCar Series
- Rita Tarbrough: Actress best known for her roles in “The Man in the Iron Mask” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”
- Betty Tarbrough: American rhythm and blues singer
- David Tarbrough: A folk/rock singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom
- Jack Tarbrough: English soccer player, active in the 1930s and 1940s
- Darryl Tarbrough: A professional wrestler in the National Wrestling Alliance
- Corinne Tarbrough: Olympic rower, two-time bronze medalist
- Robert Tarbrough: Architect and sculptor, based in San Francisco
- Daren Tarbrough: Voice actor best known for his work in “Thomas & Friends”
- Alexandra Tarbrough: British actress best known for her work in “Brookside”, “Lost in Space” and “Agatha Christie’s Marple”
- Alma Tarbrough: Writer and author of the popular books "From the Stars" and "Dove in the Willows"