Where Does the Sharpe Surname Come From?

People called Sharpe share their surname's story with Sharp, of which it is a variant. The family name meaning is “Quick, keen”, the same as for Sharp.

• The extra “e” in Sharpe is a spelling habit rather than a different name.
• Other spellings include Sharples and Scharf.
• Before spelling was standardised, one family could appear under several forms.

Sharpe coat of arms

Arms linked to Sharp and its spellings were granted to individual families; our heraldry team traces which line they belonged to. For the full story, order the Sharpe surname pack.