Abthorpe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Abthorpe

What does the name Abthorpe mean?

The family name Abthorpe is thought to be originally taken from the place named Apethorpe, in Northamptonshire. The Domesday Book of 1086 lists this civil parish and village as Patorp, 1 but by 1162, the parish was known as Apetorp. Literally the place means "outlying farmstead or hamlet of a man called Api," from the Old Scandinavian personal name + "thorp." 2

Early Origins of the Abthorpe family

The surname Abthorpe was first found in Northamptonshire at Apethorpe. In the late 15th century the manor of Apethorpe was acquired by Sir Guy Wolston (1433-1504), an officer in the household of King Edward IV, who began the construction of his country house, now knows as Apethorpe Palace. It was a "favourite royal residence" for James I.

The Pipe Rolls of 1180 show Thomas Abetrop held estates here at that time. The Curia Regis Rolls of 1201 list Juetta de Abethorop. 3

Early History of the Abthorpe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abthorpe research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1197 and 1202 are included under the topic Early Abthorpe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Abthorpe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Apthorp, Apthorpe, Appthorpe, Appthorp, Habthorp, Habthorp, Habbthorp, Apethorp, Apethorpe, Habethorp, Apthrop, Apthropp and many more.

Early Notables of the Abthorpe family

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

Migration of the Abthorpe family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: East Apthorp, who settled in Boston in 1713; James Apthorp, who arrived at Boston in 1767; and Charles Apthorp, who arrived in Boston in 1784.

Sources +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)