A Scottish, German and English surname, the Sharp family name comes from ‘scarf’, an Latin term of ‘scrobis’ which means ditch. Another original form was ‘scharp’ which meant something quick and keen.

Spellings variations for the family name of Sharp include Scharpe, Schearpe, Sharpin, Sharpling, Sharpe and Sharplin. German spelling for Sharp surname would be Scharf.

The English counties of Kent, the city of London, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire have the greater populations of Sharp families. In Scotland, the Sharp family name is in Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Renfrewshire, Angus, Fife and Perthshire counties.

The states of New Jersey, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, Texas, Indiana, California and Virginia have many Sharp families in the United States


Famous: Derrick Sharp (professional basketball player), Harry Sharp (a race car driver), John Sharp (English actor), William Sharp (18th century English engraver), Martin Sharp (cartoonist, songwriter and filmmaker from Australia), Joseph Sharp (18th century pioneer settler in New Jersey), Kevin Sharp (musician), Walter B. Sharp (oil drilling pioneer) and Maia Sharp (singer and songwriter).