Surname Harrap - Meaning and Origin
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Harrap: What does the surname Harrap mean?
The surname Harrap is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a geographical or locational reference. It is believed to be connected to a place called Harrup in Sussex, England. The name Harrup could mean "valley inhabited by hares" or "Harrow up" (a tool used in agriculture). The usage of surnames began in the Middle Ages as a means of distinguishing people with the same first name, hence geographical, occupational or patriarchal names were often used. Notably, variations of the Harrap surname include Harrup, Harrop, Harrops, and Harropp. Transcription errors due to historical changes in language and spelling make tracing the exact origin challenging. Nevertheless, people with this surname can be found in England, Australia, and other regions of the former British Empire.
Order DNA origin analysisHarrap: Where does the name Harrap come from?
The surname Harrap is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English personal name Harry, which is a pet form of Henry, with the suffix "-ap" meaning "son of." Therefore, Harrap essentially means "son of Harry." It originated in England in areas such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire where these types of patronymic surnames were commonly used.
Over centuries, names like Harrap have spread across the globe due to migration, colonization, and other movements of people. Today, it remains relatively common in its country of origin, England, particularly in the northern regions. Furthermore, as a result of the historically significant British influence worldwide, it can also be found in other English-speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. However, it is important to note that while Harrap can be found in these areas, it is not among the most common surnames and does not command a significant population share.
Variations of the surname Harrap
The surname Harrap is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has various spellings, variations and surnames of the same origin. The primary variant is "Harrop" which is more common in Northern England, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. "Harrop" appears in old church registers under different spellings due to varying spellings over the centuries. Some of these are Horrop, Horrope, Horrowpe, Harroppe, Harrap, and Harrup.
Another variant of the surname Harrap is the spelling "Harrup." Other related surnames might include Harry, Harra, and Harrod.
Some less common variants include Harrep, Hairep, Harip, Harrab, and Harrip. The surname Harrap and its variants could have been geographical in origin, likely derived from places in England named Harrop, such as Harrop in Cheshire, and Harrop Fold in Lancashire.
It's important to consider that even though all these names are potentially from the same origin, they have evolved differently throughout history and may not necessarily mean that anyone bearing these surnames shares a common ancestry. Variations can occur due to phonetic change, immigration, specific family traditions, or to distinguish families with the same last name.
Famous people with the name Harrap
- George Harrap: A British publisher who founded the publishing house, George G. Harrap and Company.
- Les Harrap: A former professional rugby league footballer in the 1960s and 1970s. He played as a fullback or a halfback for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition.
- Christopher Harrap: An Australian sustainability lecturer, television presenter and producer. He starred in the ABC series, Carbon Cops.
- William Harrap: A UK-based actor who has appeared in the popular British soap opera, EastEnders.
- Richard Harrap: A snowboarding enthusiast who competed in the 1992 Winter Paralympics.
- Frederick Harrap: An early 20th century cricket player from New Zealand. It's worth noting that although all the above individuals carry the Harrap surname, they are not all related or part of the same family. The rise of their prominence in their respective fields is as unique and diverse as the individuals themselves.