Torp

Torp is a Swedish term for a solitary, small farm. Torp has the same linguistic origin from the common Germanic word as the Old High German village, the English thorp, Old Icelandic Thorp and the Dutch dorp. Torp is however no longer translated as "village", but is the German " Kate" or " hooves " on the next.

In the early Middle Ages was understood in Sweden torp a courtyard demarcated from the common ground of the village and could also be fenced. These farms could grow over time to sizeable property and to place names. Originated in combination with, for example, first names or personal names, mainly in Götaland, place names such as Anderstorp, Åstorp Hillerstorp, Perstorp, Staffanstorp or Teckomatorp.

In the 16th and 17th century, the term also included small, non-free farms ( hooves ) on private land. The user, the so-called Torpare ( Hufner ), had to pay to the landowner a kind of rent in the form of daily works or in kind. This process was of great importance for the supply of labor of the large estates ( manors ). In the military arena is a small courtyard to a soldier who had distinguished themselves in the war, awarded the Soldattorp. There he was at leisure to feed himself and his family and spend his old age.

The payment was equated with daily works of cash payment through legislation of the years 1907 to 1909. Thus, the position of the torpares has been strengthened and many farms were bought out. In 1943, the execution was banned by day works. Today is meant by torp mainly a small, older cottage in the countryside, which is often used as a holiday home.

Sources

• Bonnier Lexikon, Bonnier AB Lexicon, 1997
• Sveriges National Atlas, culture Minnen och kulturmiljövård, 1994
• Duden Volume 7, The origin dictionary, 2001
• Svensk etymologisk ordbok

• Local design
• Building in Sweden
• Design ( Agriculture)