This unusual and intriguing name is of Old Norse origin, derived from a term introduced after the 9th Century, when much of northern and eastern England was invaded and subsequently settled by Scandinavian peoples. The surname Trollop(e) is locational in origin, from the former name of the place called Troughburn in Northumberland, which was named from the Old Norse "troll", imp, supernatural being, with the Olde English pre 7th Century term "hop", small, enclosed valley, patch of enclosed land. Locational surnames were acquired especially by those former inhabitants of a place who had moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were thereafter best identified by the name of their birthplace. Early recordings of the name include those of Androwe Trowlopp, and Thomas Trollopp in the 1525 Sussex Subsidy Rolls, while one John Trollope is listed in the Norfolk Musters of 1577. A family of the name Trollope trace their descent from John Tro(w)lope, who lived at Thornlaw, Co. Durham, and before 1390 had acquired the manor of Morden in that county. The novelist Anthony Trollope (1815 - 1882), was one of his descendants. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Trollop, which was dated 1427, in the "Ancient Deeds of County Durham", during the reign of King Henry V1, known as "The Founder of Eton", 1422 - 1461. 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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