Harpur

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family name of English and Scottish origin, borne by people descended from someone who was once a harper or player of the harp
2. A surname of English and Scottish origin, one of many traditional family names taken from an occupation or regional origin
3. A hereditary family name found mainly in England and Scotland, sometimes linked to the medieval trade of harp playing

Etymology: Before it was a surname, "harper" was a job: a man who played the harp for a living, performing at feasts, in great halls, and in village gatherings. The instrument's name goes back to Old English "hearpe," and the Old English "hearpere" gave Middle English "harper." Medieval families often took surnames from what a person did, so a man known for his harp playing was recorded as the harper, and the name passed down to his children. The spelling "Harpur" is most likely a variant of "Harper," with the "-ur" ending reflecting the "-our" and "-or" spellings common in Middle English for words like this one. The name is found in England and Scotland, where the harp had strong traditions of its own, so a family carrying it may descend from a musician.