Surname Sharpe - Meaning and Origin

Sharpe: What does the surname Sharpe mean?

The last name Sharpe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is derived from the Old English term "scearp" which means "sharp", particularly referring to someone who is quick-witted, acute, or sharp-minded. It could also be used to describe someone with a sharp or pointed feature such as a person with a sharp chin or nose. Another possible derivation is from a geographical location, a sharp hill or ridge. As a surname, it first emerged during the early Middle Ages in Britain. Many people with this surname can be found in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other parts of the world such as the United States, Australia, and Canada due to migration. Like many surnames, spellings may vary, with Sharp being another common variant. Notable people with this surname include businessman and philanthropist Robert Sharp, actress Helen Sharpe and novelist Margery Sharp.

Sharpe: Where does the name Sharpe come from?

The last name Sharpe is of Anglo-Saxon and Irish origin, and is usually found in parts of England, Ireland, and the United States today.

In England, the surname Sharpe is most common in Lancashire, but can also be found in the South and East of the country. In Scotland, it is mainly found in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire, while in Northern Ireland it is particularly common in Antrim and Down.

In the United States, Sharpe is found mainly in the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern states. Geographically, it is most common in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina. However, it can also be found in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

The last name Sharpe may be of topographical origin, denoting someone who lived near a large flat rock, or of occupational origin, describing someone who worked with a sharp tool. Other forms of the surname include Sharp, Sharps, and Sharpies. Overall, the surname Sharpe is most common in the United Kingdom, but can be found across the world.

Variations of the surname Sharpe

The surname Sharpe has several variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Variations of the name include Sharp, Sharps, Narpe, and Sharpee. Other surnames of the same origin include Scharfe, Sharpin, Sharpling, Sharpman, Sharpton, Sarpe, and Shorpe.

The spelling of Sharpe most likely evolved from a variant of the English names Scharp, Sharpe, Scharpe, and Sharpp, all of which were derived from the Old English word “scearp” meaning “pointed or sharp”. It most likely denoted a person who was skilled in the use of a sword or knife.

The Dutch version of Sharpe is Scharfe, which first appeared in records in the Middle Ages. The English surname Sharpin arose from the Old English “scerpin” meaning “clever, nimble, quick,” and likely denoted a person who was skilled with a weapon. The English version of the name Sharpling comes from the Old English expression “scirpeling” meaning “pointed, sharpened,” which likely described an individual with great skill in using a sword or knife.

The English surname Sharpman was derived from the Old English “scirp” meaning “clever, nimble” and is believed to have had the same meaning as Sharpin. The surname Sharpton comes from the Old English “scirp-tun” meaning “clever enclosure” and is thought to have referred to someone who lived in a well-designed or skillfully constructed dwelling. The French surname Sarpe was derived from the Germanic “scharf” meaning “sharp” as well and is thought to have indicated a person with weapon skills. The English surname Shorpe was derived from a place in the Yorkshire region of England and was thought to have indicated someone who lived there.

Overall, the surname Sharpe has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, each with their own distinct etymology and associated meaning.

Famous people with the name Sharpe

• Jaden Sharpe: American soap opera actress best known for her roles on The Young and the Restless and All My Children.
• Richard Sharpe: British actor known for his title role as Richard Sharpe in the British television series Sharpe.
• Tony Sharpe: Canadian runner who won gold and bronze medals in the 1984 Olympics.
• Cliff Sharpe: English footballer who played for Mansfield Town in the Football League from 1961-1967.
• Dave Sharpe: American bass guitarist and composer who has played with rock bands such as Skid Row, Sister Sin, and Daughters of the Moon.
• Maura Sharpe: American stage and screen actress who has appeared in shows such as Parenthood and ER.
• Willis Sharpe Kilmer: American entrepreneur and scientist who developed over-the-counter medicines such as Mattol, Sylvan Extract, and Wolf’s Head Oil.
• Lee Sharpe: English former footballer who played left-wingback for Manchester United in the 1990s.
• Michael Sharpe: Canadian actor known for his roles on the shows Sooty, Just William, and Bill and Ben.
• Helen Sharpe: British painter and sculptor who works in a variety of mediums including photography and performance art.

Other surnames

Sharp