From the top, as in from the beginning, is seen as early as the late 14th century. Whilst it may be seen as an Americanism, it can’t be because the earliest forms are before they used English and before the Europeans really knew it existed.
Top of the morning, as a greeting, is first recorded in 1843.
Top of the world has been seen since the 1670s.
Top of the line has only been used since 1950.
Off the top of one’s head is first recorded in 1939.
Top off, as in to finish, is used first in 1836; while the sense of ‘to fill up’ dates from 1917.
Nobody paid top dollar until 1942.
Top drawer, in the sense of ‘the best’, is not used before 1920.
No recording made the top ten until 1942.
Top notch has been seen since 1841, and was once used for a part in umbrella manufacture.
Nothing was top heavy before 1530; although the same phrase was used to mean ‘drunk’ around 1680.
Box tops has been used since 1937 – if you’re too young to remember, people once collected box tops (as proof of purchase) and sent them off to claim a free gift or coupon.
Nobody was described as top dog before 1868.
Top coat was the outer garment from 1804, but not used in decorating until 1959.
Top sail, a nautical term, has been known since 1400.
Roll top, a type of lid used on desks, has been seen since 1884.
Table top has only been seen since 1914.
Over the top is a World War One reference to the onset of an attack.
Treetops are unknown before the late 15th century – of course trees had them, they just weren’t described as such.
Nobody wore a top hat until 1875.
Tip top, as in excellent, is first seen in 1702.
Tank tops were not worn until 1968, but did exist earlier when they comprised the upper part of a swimsuit.
Rooftops first appeared in 1610.
Topsoil suddenly appeared in 1789.
Topknots have been described as such since 1680.
Countertops have been used since 1878.
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