Torpey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Torpey arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Torpey family lived in Dorset. Their name, however, is a reference to Turpin Au Bois, Normandy, 1 the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the French name Turpinus, a derivative of the Latin 'turpis,' meaning 'disgraceful,' a name adopted by the early Christians as a token of humility. 2

Early Origins of the Torpey family

The surname Torpey was first found in Dorset but was quickly found in Yorkshire shortly after the Norman Conquest. One of the first records of the name was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Torfin or Turfin. 3

Turfinus filius Torfini was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1130 as was Torphinus in the same rolls in 1196. A few years later, Gaufridus filius Thorphini was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1204. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list John Turpin in Oxfordshire. 4 Whitchester in Northumberland was home to a branch of the family. "This place was for ages the possession of the Turpin family." 5

Richard "Dick" Turpin (1705-1739), the infamous English highwayman who was executed on 22 March 1739 for his deeds was inspiration for many English ballads, theatre and films hailed from Hempstead, Essex. Ironically, Turpin was never convicted of being a highwayman or a murderer. He was convicted of being a horse-rustler and that led to his execution.

Early History of the Torpey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Torpey research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1619 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Torpey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Torpey Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Turpine, Torpin, Turpin, Turbin, Turping, Tirping, Tirpin, Terpin, Turpen and many more.

Early Notables of the Torpey family

More information is included under the topic Early Torpey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Torpey Ranking

In the United States, the name Torpey is the 15,637^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Torpey family to Ireland

Some of the Torpey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Torpey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Torpey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Torpey, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 7
Michael Torpey, aged 22, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 7
Bridget Torpey, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 7
Margaret Torpey, aged 13, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 7
Mary Torpey, aged 21, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Agincourt"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Torpey (post 1700) +

Pat Torpey (1953-2018), American hard rock drummer and singer, known as the drummer and backing vocalist of the hard rock band Mr. Big
Alex M. Torpey (b. 1987), American politician
Erin Catherine Torpey (b. 1981), American actress and singer, best known for her role on One Life to Live
Noel Torpey, American Republican politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives 29th District; Elected 2012 8
Catherine Torpey, American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York Democratic State Committee, 1942 8
Alx Torpey, American politician, Village President of South Orange, New Jersey; Elected 2011 8
Steve Torpey (b. 1981), English football forward
Stephen David James "Steve" Torpey (b. 1970), English footballer

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
South Australian Register Wednesday 21st February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Rodney 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/rodney1855.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html