Terpy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Terpy

What does the name Terpy mean?

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Terpy originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Tarpaigh, which is derived from the word "tarpach," which means "sturdy."

Early Origins of the Terpy family

The surname Terpy was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, where they were said to be descended from the ancient tribe of Erainn stock into a tribe known as the Corcu Loegde who were pushed into south west Cork area by the Eoganacht. Their neighbors were the O'Sullivans, the O'Mahoneys and the MacArthys.

Early History of the Terpy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Terpy research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1877 is included under the topic Early Terpy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Terpy Spelling Variations

People who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Terpy that are preserved in archival documents are Torpey, Tarpey, O'Tarpey and others.

Early Notables of the Terpy family

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

Migration of the Terpy family

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Terpy name: Patrick Tarpey who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1842; Thomas Tarpey, who came to Philadelphia in 1845; Martin Tarpey, who arrived at Philadelphia in 1869.

The Terpy Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Firm as a rock