The Tarpeys are still to be found mainly in that part of the country to which they belong historically and traditionally, namely north Connacht. Farranyharpy (Fearann uí Tharpaigh) in the parish of Skreen, Co. Sligo indicates their original homeland. Connmach O'Tarpy was Bishop of Leyney (Achonry) from 1220-1227, and references to members of the sept in mediaeval records relate to Co. Sligo. By the seventeenth century they had spread into other Connacht counties and in 1652 Thomas oge Tarpey was one of those who refused to sign the articles of surrender of Galway; the Franciscan Father Francis Tarpey, who was a professor of note at Louvain, was educated at Galway (c. 1627) as well as at Rome; and at the present time there are some families of the name around Gort and Ardrahan.

Another sept of the same name Ó Tarpaigh was counted among the followers of O'Leary of Corca Laoidhe. The name is rare there now: in Munster it is better known as Torpey. As such it occurs three times in the Co. Tipperary Hearth Money Rolls of 1665-7.