Surname Tarbox - Meaning and Origin

Tarbox: What does the surname Tarbox mean?

Tarbox is an English-language surname of Anglo-Saxon or Norman origin, stemming from the archaic English word tarbock, which means a bullock. The surname likely originated within a family of rural landholders or small farmers who kept their own stock and raised cattle, particularly oxen.

Tarbox first appeared as a personal name in the middle English period (1300s) and was often derived from a place name, such as for people living in or near an area with a large population of wild bulls. In Anglo-Saxon, the name could have developed from the words terp or tar, meaning hill or summit, and bock, meaning either a beacon or a hillock.

Over time, the name Tarbox has changed throughout history. Today, Tarbox is a common name in the United States, though it is relatively rare in other countries. The name is also found in some parts of Scotland.

The Tarbox family has been associated with numerous interesting events in history. In the 1600s, Richard Tarbox was the first man to settle in what is now Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. In a later period, the Tarbox name was linked with the California Gold Rush in 1849. The Tarbox family has also been prominent in various parts of the United States armed forces.

Today, the Tarbox name represents a long history of accomplishment and resilience. It is also a testament to the power of migration, with family lines settling in various parts of the world, from England to the United States and beyond. Overall, the name Tarbox reflects a rich past that has shaped the present and will continue to do so into the future.

Tarbox: Where does the name Tarbox come from?

The last name Tarbox is thought to be most commonly found today in the United States, specifically the New England area. The earliest known records of this name in the United States date back to the 1600s, when a man named George Tarbox was recorded as one of the early settlers of Plymouth Colony, in what is now Massachusetts. His descendant is thought to be the first of many with the surname who would eventually spread throughout New England.

The surname was quite popular in the 1700s and 1800s, and due to its ties with Puritanism, it is often associated with New England towns like Salem, Massachusetts or Dedham, Maine. Today, Tarbox is still found throughout the Northeastern United States, particularly in its original homelands like Massachusetts and Maine.

This surname and its variants is not just found strictly in the United States today, though. It has spread to other countries through immigration, particularly Canada, Australia, Wales, and Scotland. Many of these immigrant families trace their lineage back to the same New England source.

Overall, the last name Tarbox is a very old and established surname, with its earliestdocumented ties being found in the 16th century in the United States. It is an example of early settler families from New England who soon spread throughout the Northeastern United States and beyond.

Variations of the surname Tarbox

Tarbox is an English surname with Germanic and Norse roots. Variations of the surname include Tarbock, Tarbourg, Tarbocke, Tawbox, Thorboltson, Thorbeck, Thorbock, Torbock, Torboltson, Thorpes, Tharpes, Thaarpe, Tharap, Tharopp, Thorebo’s,Thorping, Thurring, Thorbomb, Thorbins and Tharbr.

The name Tarbox is believed to be derived from the Old English nickname ‘Thorulf’. This nickname served as a byname for someone who was either very strong or brave in battle. It was also commonly used as a symbol of power and strength in Norse mythology. Over time, Thorulf began to be anglicized into Tarbox.

It is also possible that some variants of Tarbox are derived from an Old Norse personal name meaning ‘thorp’ or ‘hamlet’. Other spellings of the surname may be linked to either Old English or Old Germanic origins. For example, Tarbourg is a spelling of Torberg, which is derived from the Germanic name ‘Torbjorn’ meaning ‘thunder-bear’.

Overall, Tarbox is an old-fashioned surname with Germanic or Norse roots. The various spellings and variants of Tarbox range from Thorulf to Thorpes and Tharbr and all convey similar meanings which typically relate to bravery, strength and power.

Famous people with the name Tarbox

• Lisa Tarbox: Professional female ice hockey player from the United States.
• Martha Tarbox: Hotel manager in California.
• Eustace Tarbox: Retired computer scientist and professor.
• Malcolm Tarbox: Outdoorsman and survival specialist from West Virginia.
• Fiorella Tarbox: Mountaineer and author from Peru.
• Abigail Tarbox: Olympic medalist and world rowing champion from Canada.
• S. L. Tarbox: Award-winning author and screenwriter from the United Kingdom.
• Ella Tarbox: Set design artist and theater director from New York.
• L.M Tarbox: Prominent author and children's book illustrator.
• Julian Tarbox: Award-winning television producer from Los Angeles.
• Joshua Tarbox: Professional football player from Canada.
• Gwyneth Tarbox: Opera singer from Germany.
• Lorelei Tarbox: Award-winning architect and designer from Texas.
• Nell Tarbox: Award-winning chef and restaurateur from Jamaica.
• Dean Tarbox: Grammy Award-winning music producer from Tennessee.
• Elsie Tarbox: Antique collector and dealer from North Carolina.
• Martin Tarbox: Astronaut from the United States.
• Sidney Tarbox: Jazz drummer from South Africa.
• Catherine Tarbox: Award-winning poet from Ireland.
• Cabot Tarbox: Renowned actor from England.

Other surnames

Tarborough