Sharpin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The founding heritage of the Sharpin family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Sharpin comes from when one of the family worked as a person who played the harp deriving its origin from the Old French harpin, a person who played the harp. 1

Alternatively, the name could have been a patronymic name as in 'the son of Harpin,' probably from Harfinn. 2

Early Origins of the Sharpin family

The surname Sharpin was first found in Norfolk, where Thomas Harpyn was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2

William Harepin was a Knights Templar in 1185 and Harpin (with no forename) was listed in Yorkshire in 1231. 1

Adam Harpin was faulconer to Bishop Swinfield in 1289-90 and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Henricus Harpyn; Magota Harpyn; and Johanna Harpyn. 2

Early History of the Sharpin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sharpin research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1289, 1379, 1686 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Sharpin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sharpin Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Sharpin has been spelled many different ways, including Harpin, Herpin, Harpyn, Arpin, Harpen, Herpen and others.

Early Notables of the Sharpin family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sharpin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sharpin family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Sharpins to arrive in North America: Thomas Harpen, who sailed to Maryland in 1661; James Herpin, who went to Alabama in 1858; Jacob Herpin to Illinois in 1860; Henry and Joseph Herpin to Illinois in 1864..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)