This surname is derived from the Old Norse personal name Topi or Tupi, probably a short form of the male given name "Porbjorn", the first element consisting of the divine name "Porr", meaning "the god of thunder", in Scandinavian mythology, plus "bjorn", a "bear" or warrior. The personal name dates back to the late 11th Century appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086 for Hertfordshire. The surname was also recorded at the same time (see below). One, Robert Top can be seen in the Sommerset County Records of 1327. The modern idiom of the spelling has at least six variances including Toupe, Top, Topp, Toappe, Toppe, Toope. On the January 18th 1647, William, son of Henry Toop was christened at Saint Olave, Southwark, London. On February 8th 1784, Susanna Abigail, daughter of John and Margaret Toop, was christened at Saint Mary's, Rotherithe, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Aldene Tope, which was dated 1086 "Domesday Book" for Lincolnshire, during the reign of King William 1, "The Conqueror", 1066 - 1082. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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