Recorded as Tarpey, Torpey, Torpy, Turpie, Turpey, and possibly others, this is a surname of apparently Scottish origins although widely recorded in England. It originates from a diminutive of the pre 7th centuury Olde Norse personal name 'Thorfinnr', which is also the origin of the famous name Turpin. In the early surviving records and charters it is recorded that John Turpy was a 'portioner', that is to say that he had received a portion of an estate, following the death of his father, at a place called Ballomyne in the year 1607. Another recording is that of William Turpie, given as being a maltman and brewer in the city of Edinburgh in 1688. Curiously the surname is well recorded in the city of London from much the same period with that of James Turpey at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, on November 1st 1701, and James Turpie who married Mary Rogers at St James church, Dukes Place, Westminster, on December 27th 1703.

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