Surname Therlkeld - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Therlkeld: What does the surname Therlkeld mean?
The last name Threlkeld originates from the North of England, specifically from a place called Threlkeld in the British Lake District in Cumberland. The place name 'Threlkeld' derives from Old Norse, an ancient Scandinavian language. 'Þræll' means serf, thrall or slave, and 'kjellr' translates to a spring or source of water. Hence, Threlkeld can be understood to mean 'the spring of the serf'. This could refer to a spring that was used by serfs or slaves, or possibly a spring owned by a serf. Therefore, as a last name, Threlkeld likely started as a geographic identifier, referring to people who resided in or came from that particular location. It's important to note that meanings can evolve and change through centuries and the present day interpretations could considerably differ from its original signification.
Order DNA origin analysisTherlkeld: Where does the name Therlkeld come from?
The last name Therlkeld is most common in Australia, the United States, and Canada. It is seen in many places throughout these countries, though it is more commonly found in the rural, small towns and villages. The name Therlkeld has English origins and may have derived from an old English personal name Theodric, meaning ‘the people’s ruler’, or from the Old Norse name Thjodthildr, meaning ‘war leader’.
Therlkeld, as a surname, first appears in Scottish records in 1395. It is seen in many different spellings of the name, including Tarlkeld, Turlkeld, and Terlkeld. Later, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many families with the Therlkeld name migrated to North America.
As of 2019, the last name Therlkeld is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, Australia, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. However, it is perhaps most populous in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York in the United States. In Canada, you will find most Therlkelds in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. In Australia, members of the Therlkeld family are largely settled in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Today, the Therlkeld name is still very much alive and in use. People with this last name are seen everywhere, including small towns and cities, and they are often proud to share their shared family history and heritage.
Variations of the surname Therlkeld
The Therlkeld surname originates from the North West of England and has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include: Thrilcault, Thrilkild, Thorla, Thorlark, Turla, Turlcault, Turlkaild,Th Evens and Thorleld.
The most well-known variant of the name is 'Threlkeld' which is derived from the Old English words 'thyrl', meaning 'crowd, throng' and 'ceald, meaning 'cold', thus indicating descendants who lived in an area known for its cold temperatures.
The name was initially found in Cumbria, Lancashire, and Yorkshire but by the 19th Century had spread to other parts of the country, particularly in the West Midlands, East Anglia, and London.
Variations of the original spelling such as Thrilcault, Thrilkild, Thorlark, and Turlcault are often associated with Thrilkeld. The spelling of Th Evens may have been a clerical error in Census records.
There are several surnames which may have been derived from Thrilkeld, such as Thrilfield, consuming the same Old English words but including 'feild', meaning 'field', and Thorlacroft which includes the Old English words 'akroft', meaning 'enclosed piece of land'.
The variations of the surname Therlkeld, with its mix of spelling variations and potential associated surnames adds to the layers of diverseness and uniqueness of the residents of the North West of England's people.
Famous people with the name Therlkeld
- Carl Theodor Dreyer, Danish film director often referred to as "The Father of Film Editing"
- Cameron Thorlkeld, American actor best known for his roles in "The Avengers" and "Jurassic Park"
- Lene Vestergaard Therlkeld, Danish actress and author
- Matthew Thorlkeld, American writer, director, and producer most known for writing and producing the TV series "Party of Five"
- George Thorlkeld, Canadian politician
- Henrik Thorlkeld, Norwegian lyricist
- Clare Thorlkeld, British actress best known for her role in "The Bill"
- Henrik Von Thorlkeld, Danish ambassador
- Rehrl Thorlkeld, Canadian businessman
- Joseph Thorlkeld, Australian lawyer
- Sofie Therlkeld, Danish singer and songwriter
- Magnus Thorlkeld, Danish engineer