Surname Northrop - Meaning and Origin

Northrop: What does the surname Northrop mean?

The surname Northrop is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name derived from any of the several places named Northorpe in England. The place name 'Northorpe' translates to 'north village' from Middle English, with 'north' meaning north and 'thorpe' meaning village or outlying farmstead. The name was initially given to someone who lived in or was from one of these places. Over time, it evolved into a surname for use as a means of identification, particularly when individuals moved to different towns or regions. Variations of the name include Norstrip, Northrup, Northrope, among others. As with many surnames, its spelling may have changed over the centuries due to a multitude of factors, including literacy levels and regional dialects. Today, individuals with the surname Northrop can be found in many countries, including the United States, Canada, England, and Australia.

Northrop: Where does the name Northrop come from?

The last name Northrop is relatively common in the United States today, particularly in certain areas of the country. According to the United States Census, the Northrop surname is among the top 400 most common names in the United States, and is found in all 50 states. However, it is most common in certain states, including Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

In fact, researchers from Harvard University have suggested that the last name Northrop is most likely of English descent, and all modern day Northrop holders may trace their lineage from one original family line. This could explain why the name is especially common in states such as Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, as these three states were all colonized by people of English origin.

Today, the Northrop surname can be found in records of business, community organizations, and even on social media platforms. Northrop holders come from a variety of backgrounds and have a range of professions, from doctors to lawyers to politicians.

No matter where you go in the United States, Northrops can be found. The Northrop name has been passed down for centuries and its holders will continue to shape its legacy in generations to come.

Variations of the surname Northrop

Northrop is an English and Scottish surname, derived from the Old Norse personal name, Norðróp, which means "dweller of the North". Variants include Northrup, Northropp, Northup, Northrop, Northrope, Northrop, Norrip, Noroup, Nordrop, Nordropp, Nordup, Nordrop, Nordrope, Norrthrop, Norropp, Norrup, and Norrope.

Spellings of the same origin include Narthrop, Narthropp, Narthup, Narthrop, Narthrope, Nornthrop, Norryp, Noroup, Nodrop, Nodropp, Nodup, Nodrop, Nodrope, Northrop, Norropp, Norrup, and Norrope.

Variations of the surname Northrop can be found in Scotland with the surname Nortrop. A variant with a French-origin spelling is Nortrope.

In other countries, such as Germany, Northop, Northup, Nornup, Nordup, Norderop, Nordropp, and Nordrup are some of the main surnames with the same origin.

There are also variants of this surname with a Dutch and Irish origin, Nortrop or Nortop. Variants of this name with American origin include Northrup, Northrapp, Northropp, Northup, Northrup, Northrope, and Northrop.

In German and Dutch countries, the variations spelled Norrop and Norropp also exist.

Overall, Northrop is a surname with an Old Norse origin, and its variations can be found across different countries.

Famous people with the name Northrop

• John Knudsen Northrop (1895-1981): an American engineer and aircraft industrialist who founded the Northrop Corporation in 1939.
• John Northrop (1912-2004): American physicist and Nobel Prize winner who developed the modern science of organic chemistry.
• Allan C. Northrop (1901-1961): an American electronics engineer and entrepreneur who founded several industrial tech companies.
• Irving Langmuir Northrop (1917-1990): an American physicist and professor at the University of Rochester who was a pioneer in using lasers and electronic imaging and in developing a repressed catalytic process.
• Howard P. Northrop (1908-1980): an English physicist and colleague of J. Robert Oppenheimer who served as a physicist on the first successful atomic bombing mission.
• Robert L. Northrop (1917-2008): an American electrical engineer who served in the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), NASA, and Air Force Special Weapons Command before founding Eastern Air Lines.
• Bruce Northrop (1943-2013): an American aerospace engineer and manager who was the Vice President of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).
• Amitai Etzioni (born Northrop): an Israeli-American sociologist, professor, and author who is noted for his work on communitarianism.
• Natacha Northrop (1946-2007): French-born American chemist, researcher, and professor who was noted for her pioneering work on the synthesis of microbial agents.
• Phyllis Northrop (1921-2006): an American physicist and professor who was a pioneer in the study of cosmic rays.

Other surnames

NorthridgeNorthripNorthrup