Thorpe

Thorpe is a common toponym in England and a surname of English origin. The term derives from the Old English thorp and the Old Norse þorp, both meaning a village, hamlet, or secondary settlement. In medieval records the word described a small settlement that often formed part of a manor or parish.

Because of its meaning, many places adopted the name Thorpe (and its variants) and the form is especially prevalent in East Anglia, the East Midlands, and northern counties. Notable examples include Thorpe in Norfolk and Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich. The name has spread beyond its English roots through migration, and today appears in place-names and surnames in other English-speaking countries.

As a surname, Thorpe originated as a placename surname and became hereditary over time. It is borne by individuals in various professions and is also found in literature, such as John Thorpe, a character in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Variants of the spelling include Thorp and Thorpe, with or without a final e, reflecting historical spelling and pronunciation differences.