Toper

The surname Toper is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "toppur," which meant a heavy drinker or a drunkard. This occupation-based surname was likely given to someone who worked in a tavern or was known for their love of ale or other alcoholic beverages.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Toper dates back to the 13th century. It appears in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1273, where a man named Roger le Toper is mentioned. The use of the prefix "le" before the surname was common during this time, indicating that the name was still considered a descriptive term rather than a hereditary surname.

In the 14th century, the surname Toper can be found in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which list a Thomas le Toper. The Subsidy Rolls were tax records, suggesting that the Toper family had established themselves in the region by that time.

By the 15th century, the surname had evolved into its modern spelling, as evidenced by the appearance of John Toper in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire in 1490. This record indicates that the Toper family had spread across different parts of England.

One notable historical figure with the surname Toper was Richard Toper, a merchant from Bristol who lived in the late 16th century. He is mentioned in various trade records and was involved in the lucrative wine trade, which may have been an ironic twist given the surname's association with drinking.

Another interesting individual was William Toper, an English author and playwright who lived in the early 17th century. He wrote several plays and poems, some of which were published in the early 1600s, including a work titled "The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward, and Unconstant Women."

In the 18th century, the surname Toper can be found in various parish records and historical documents. One example is John Toper, who was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1712. He was a respected member of the local community and served as a church warden for several years.

Another notable figure from this period was Elizabeth Toper, a midwife who practiced in London in the late 18th century. She is mentioned in several birth records and was well-regarded for her expertise in assisting with childbirth.

In the 19th century, the Toper surname continued to appear in various records across England. One example is James Toper, a farmer from Dorset who was born in 1825. He is mentioned in several agricultural records and census documents, indicating that the family had established roots in the rural areas of the country.