Surname Turpen - Meaning and Origin
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Turpen: What does the surname Turpen mean?
The last name Turpen is an English surname derived from a nickname. This nickname is derived from a combination of two Old English words, which means "thorn” and “hill”. The name is symbolic of a thorny hillside or a hilly area full of thorns. Some may say that the name also has a Dutch origin and may have been used as an occupational name for someone who made or sold thorns.
The surname Turpen is a very rare name and it is not known how many of the Turpens are still alive. Historically, the name is found mainly in England and in some parts of America. The first known recorded bearers of this name were William Turpen in 1273 and Johannes Turpen in 1296.
The Turpen family in England was one of the oldest and most influential families during the 15th and 16th centuries. This family rose to wealth and power through their involvement in Architecture, Banking, Shipping, Politics, and Law. Many of the Turpens were members of Parliament and served their country for many years.
Today, the name Turpen is still alive and can be found in different parts of the world. They are mainly found in England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its rarity, the family name has seen growth in recent times. This is mainly due to the growth of the internet, which has made it easier to find and connect with those with the same surname.
Order DNA origin analysisTurpen: Where does the name Turpen come from?
The last name Turpen is particularly common among families in the Midwestern United States, most naturally in states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Iowa. This is because much of the original Turpen family came from Germany and immigrated to this area in the 19th century. Their descendants have since settled in towns and cities throughout the region, meaning the number of Turpen families living in these states today continues to grow.
The overall frequency of the surname has been declining over the years, however. The 1940 US Census reported 14,675 occurrences of the name, according to Ancestry.com, but this had dropped to 8,589 by 2000.
The Turpen family tends to keep close ties, often organizing gatherings and reunions. This is a testament to the strong sense of community that is so close to the heart of the name.
The last name Turpen is also quite common in Kentucky, where it is virtually everywhere. Turpen families can often be found in the Bluegrass State, and members of the Turpen family have been living there since the early 1800s. In fact, Turpen is the 7th most common surname in Kentucky, and records show that this tradition has been maintained for over 200 years.
Today, the Turpen name continues to thrive in many parts of the United States, although some of its prominence has waned in recent years. Nevertheless, the families that carry the Turpen name will always hold a special place in the history of the country, and many will continue to strive to ensure that the legacy of their ancestors is honored and remembered.
Variations of the surname Turpen
The surname Turpen has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Tarpenning, Turping, Turpingen, Tepping, Turpening, Turpeninger, Turpingsen, Turppen, Turpin, Turpening, Torpening, Turpian, and Turppin.
Turpen is an Anglo-Saxon name, and was used during the Middle Ages. It was derived from the Old English words "turp" and "pyne", which meant "trough" or "pool of water". It is believed that this surname was associated with the occupation of milling grain. In some areas of England, it is known to be an Anglicized form of the Dutch surname "Turpinge", which is thought to be derived from the Dutch words "top", meaning "ridge" or "raised ground", and "plank", meaning "plank".
The Turpening, Turppin, and Torpening variations of the surname are derived from the Middle Low German "torp", meaning "pool of water" and the suffix "-in", which was used to show possession or relation.
The variant spellings of the surname, Turping, Turpin, Turpingen, and Tepping are thought to be derived from the Old English words "turpa" and "ing", which mean "ridge" and "the people of". The name Turpeninger could have also derived from the Old English word "turpa" and the German suffix "-inger", which were both used to denote residence.
The surname Turpen is most common in the United States and England, but there are a few records of individuals with this surname in Germany.
Famous people with the name Turpen
- Ryan Turpen: actor, best known for his role on the scripted reality television show, Buckwild
- Willard Turpen: American producer, director, and screenwriter.
- Matthew Turpen: American actor, most notably known for his role in the film, Paranormal Activity 4
- Clifford Turpen: American basketball player
- Robert Turpen: American politician from Arkansas
- John Turpen: American rights activist and social entrepreneur
- Richard Turpen: former professional baseball player
- Charles Turpen: actor and musician
- Mike Turpen: former Attorney General from the state of Oklahoma
- Jim Turpen: American historian and professor
- Lawrence Turpen: American cinematographer
- Jeff Turpen: professional Call of Duty e-sports player
- Nancy Turpen: American artist and calligrapher
- Jamie Turpen: American gymnast and trampoline artist
- Robert Turpen III: American business executive
- Roberta Turpen: American abstract and non-objective painter
- Eric Turpen: American actor best known for his work in independent films
- Tyler Turpen: American Paralympic Competitor
- Richard Turpen: American actor
- John Turpen: British war correspondent