Surname Toplis - Meaning and Origin
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Toplis: What does the surname Toplis mean?
Toplis is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, traced back to ancient England. The name is derived from the Old English words "top," meaning top or peak, and "leah," meaning forest or clearing. Thus, Toplis is usually interpreted to mean ‘at the top of the clearing or forest’. It is a geographical surname, originally used to identify people who lived in or near such a location. Like many other surnames that were based on geographical features, Toplis would have been used as a form of identification, particularly in small communities where people often had the same first names. Over time, such surnames became hereditary, handed down from generation to generation. Many people with the Toplis surname are found in the United Kingdom, and particularly in Derbyshire, where the origin of the name is believed to be.
Order DNA origin analysisToplis: Where does the name Toplis come from?
The last name Toplis is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is thought to have originated in the north central region of England, possibly the city of Wakefield in Yorkshire. It is derived from the Old English ‘topp’, meaning hill or brow of a hill, and 'leah', which means a clearing in the forest.
The name can be found across the UK in cities such as Manchester, London, Birmingham and Cardiff. There are significant populations of Toplis in other countries such as Australia and New Zealand, predominantly originating from the aforementioned British roots.
Tracing the history of the Toplis family back through the years, records reveal that the surname was first found in Yorkshire, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say before the Conquest in 1066. The name can also be found throughout Europe, especially within the countries that made up the former British Empire. This includes India, Malaysia, Singapore, and even parts of Africa such as Tanzania and Zambia.
The Toplis name is quite rare and has possibly only been found in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, the US and Australia. The name is not likely to be found in Europe, Asia or the Middle East. The last name has become increasingly less common as generations have passed and its population is currently estimated at less than 4000 total people.
Variations of the surname Toplis
The surname Toplis can be spelt in a variety of different ways including Topliss, Toppliss and Topless. It is also known as Toplisse, Toploes, Topless and Topluster.
This surname is derived from the personal name 'Top', which is believed to have originated from the old English "Topmaere" meaning tiller or farmer. Additionally, it may be classified as a habitational surname, derived from places called Topliss and Topless, located in Warwickshire and Derbyshire in England.
In some cases, Toplis is also seen as an occupational surname, as Topliff was an earlier term for a collier, or someone who mined coal. It is likely that the first recorded name bearers were named after their occupation.
The surname Toplis has been recorded in several parish records of England, as far back as the 1600s. These records list people who held this surname in the city of London, as well as in other parts of England, such as Yorkshire and Northumberland.
Various spellings of this surname continue to appear in records throughout the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. For instance, the 1881 census in the United Kingdom recorded several variations of this surname, including Topliss, Toppliss, Topless, Topfes, Topaces and Toplisse.
The various spellings and versions of the surname Toplis demonstrate its widespread use and popularity. As the records show, it is likely that many of the current bearers of this surname use slightly different versions of Toplis - either as a result of regional dialects or personal preference. Regardless of how this surname is spelled, the meaning remains the same.
Famous people with the name Toplis
- John Toplis: British actor best known for his role as Maurice in the popular BBC TV series Outnumbered.
- William Toplis: British World War II Flying Officer who flew combat missions against the Axis Powers in the Mediterranean.
- Edward Toplis: English actor best known for his roles in The Bill and Coronation Street.
- Robert Toplis: British soldier who served in the Life Guards regiment of the British Army during World War II.
- Mark Toplis: English rugby league player.
- Maurice Toplis: British jazz pianist and Berlin Wall survivor.
- James Toplis: Canadian architect and urban planner best known for his work on the reconstruction of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Paul Toplis: British World War II soldier who was captured by the Axis Powers and held as a prisoner of war for three years.
- Gordon Toplis: British World War II soldier who was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the Normandy Landings.
- Richard Toplis: British composer and theatre director known for his works with the Royal Ballet.