This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the sharp,' the quick, keen, cutting. Naturally this was a sobriquet likely to be handed down as being complimentary. Several instances have lately cropped up where the child has received the baptismal name Luke, which looks as if a little humour were intended.

Alexander Scharp, Buckinghamshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John Scharp, Sussex, ibid.

William Scharpe, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Adam Scharpe, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Leticia Scharppe, 1379: ibid.

1589. Baptised — Anne, d. Edward Sharper St. James, Clerkenwell.

There are few early notices of this surname. William Scharp was a tenant of the earl of Douglas in the barony of Kilbucho, 1376 (RHM., I, p. xlix; II, p. 16), Patrick Sharp in Denburn held land in 1439 (CRA., p. 6), John Scharpe was merchant and bailie of Dumfries, 1656 (Retours, Dumfries, 229), James Sharp (1618-1679) was archbishop of St. Andrews, and the name is found in Lanarkshire in middle of sixteenth century. Stodart (II, p. 369) adds Robert Sharp, notary public, 1433; Alexander Sharp of Strathey, Perthshire, 1454; and William Sharp, preceptor of Traileou, 1535. The old Gaelic name Macilheran, which see, was Englished Sharp, perhaps from the faint assonance of geur, giar (sharp) with ciar-an. Schairpe 1577, Schearpe 1626; Scherpe.

Sharp,Sharpe. —This name is rare or absent in the south - west of England and in the south coast counties, excluding Kent. It is also, generally speaking, infrequent in the north, except in the West Riding and in Cumberland and Westmoreland. It is mostly crowded into Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Rutlandshire, and Notts, extending also into the adjacent counties; but it is also fairly numerous in Kent. In Scotland it finds its home in Perthshire in the form of Sharp.