Surname Templeton - Meaning and Origin

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O. Templeton

Templeton: What does the surname Templeton mean?

The surname Templeton is of Scottish and Northern Irish origin, derived from a habitational name from a place near Kilmaurs in Ayrshire, Scotland. The name is composed of two elements - 'temple,' which was used to denote a tract of land granted to the Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order, and 'tun,' an Old English word for an enclosure, settlement, or farm. Thus, the literal meaning is 'the farm or settlement of the Knights Templar.’ The Templetons of Scotland were a prominent family in Ayrshire, and the name eventually spread to Northern Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia due to migration. The surname Templeton remains most common in its lands of origin, namely Scotland and Northern Ireland. As with many surnames, there are also various alternate spellings, including Tempilton, Templton and Templeten.

Templeton: Where does the name Templeton come from?

The last name Templeton is most commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom today.

In the United States, the name is somewhat evenly distributed throughout the country, with the greatest concentrations in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Kansas. Virginia, New York, and California also have a significant presence of people with the name. In the UK, the highest concentrations are in England, and the name is particularly strong in London and the Midlands.

The name is derived from a placename in Scotland; the name Templeton is thought to come from an ancient local parish or village of that name. It is an old Anglo-Saxon name, and is likely to have been first used in the 13th century as a family surname. The earliest known associated with the name is John Templeton, who was recorded in Edinburgh in 1230.

The Templeton surname is probably best known for its association with the Templeton Prize, an annual award given to individuals who have made "an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension," according to its founders. The Templeton Foundation and Templeton Prize are named for the late Sir John Templeton, a renowned investor and philanthropist.

Variations of the surname Templeton

The surname Templeton is derived from the Old English word ‘temple’ meaning a dwelling or building sacred to a deity. Variants of this surname include Templeson, Templeman, Templeaham, and Templemane. Other spellings range from Templton, Temple, Tempestone, and Tempelton.

The variations that have arisen through the centuries also feature some interesting shifts in spelling. This has resulted in surnames of similar origin having different spellings such as: Tembleson, Temblow, Tumbleton, Tombleson, and Tomblesone.

The Templeton surname has spread throughout the world which explains why there may be multiple variances in spelling. A few of the variations it has taken over different regions include: Templehoun, Templhoun, and Tempilsone in Scotland, Templton in France, Tempelton in Germany, and Templethin in Ireland.

While the origin of the surname Templeton is generally agreed upon, there are many variations in spelling. As it has been borne by multiple different people around the globe, there is no single definitive way to spell it. To answer the question of which of these various spellings, variants and surnames do in fact refer to the same origin, more research into the surname’s history and records would be necessary.

Famous people with the name Templeton

• Sophie Templeton: Canadian broadcast journalist
• John Templeton: American-born British entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Fred Templeton: American track and field athlete
• John Templeton Jr.: American financial analyst and philanthropist
• Rob Templeton: American businessman and philanthropist
• Mary Templeton: first woman president of the American Medical Association
• Peter Templeton: English actor
• Dan Templeton: English professional footballer
• Phil Templeton: Australian artist
• William Templeton: Irish poet

Other surnames

Templet