Surname Thirkinton - Meaning and Origin

Thirkinton: What does the surname Thirkinton mean?

The surname Thirkinton does not have a widely known or established meaning. It’s possible that Thirkinton could be a variant of an English or Scottish surname, possibly indicating a location or profession of early family members, as such is common in the origin of surnames. However, without specific historical or genealogical evidence, the precise meaning and origin of "Thirkinton" remain uncertain. Like many surnames, over generations spelling can change as the name is passed down, further complicating its origins. One also must consider that the name could have been altered upon immigration or anglicized from a different original spelling. Without a specific regional or cultural context, it's difficult to pinpoint the precise meaning of the surname Thirkinton. To understand its meaning, one might need to turn to genealogical research or family history for clues.

Thirkinton: Where does the name Thirkinton come from?

The last name Thirkinton is not a common name today, but it has roots in several regions across the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. The name dates back to at least the 13th century in England, with the earliest records of the name appearing in Yorkshire. In U.S. records, Thirkinton first appears in the late 18th century, when Immigrant Isaac Thirkinton and his family settled in Virginia. There is also evidence of a Thirkinton family in early southern Canada, who had likely relocated from the United States sometime around the early 19th century.

The last name today is still found in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, though it is far less than common. In the United States, census records in 2020 show that there were only about 92 people living with the surname Thirkinton. Similarly, records in the UK show about 31 people bearing the name in 2019. Additionally, Canada and Australia both show between only 15 and 30 individuals with the name, and no other countries have any records of the name.

Overall, the last name Thirkinton is not a common name today, but its presence throughout the English speaking world has maintained the name throughout the centuries.

Variations of the surname Thirkinton

Thirkinton is an English surname believed to have originated during the medieval period, possibly derived from the Old English word “theorc” (meaning a weaver) and “tun” (meaning a settlement). Various variants and spellings of the surname exist, most notably Thirskinton, Thirkintun, Thirskintun, Thirskinton, Tirkinton, Thyrkinton, Thyrkson, Thurkinton and Thyrks.

The different spellings of the surname all derive from the same locale, “Thirceton”, a village in Yorkshire, England. Records of men named Thirskinton in Yorkshire date all the way back to 1665, while the first recorded spelling of the name in the New World was in 1741, when William Thirskinton, arrived in Virginia.

In addition to its various spellings, there are also surnames of similar origins, such as Thuresk, Turfus and Turfusson which have the same meaning. These are not directly related to the Thirkintun/Thirskinton surname, but may have shared some common roots at some point in time.

Thurkintun is also related to a variety of other surnames from Europe, such as Thurkes, Tourette, Thorsen and Torrence, all of which have similar derivations. In the United States, the Thirkinton name is also sometimes spelled as Thorstenson or Thorson.

Overall, the Thirkinton surname has many spellings, variants and similarly derived surnames which all have the same origin and location. Researching these different variants may help to uncover more information about your ancestors and the type of lives they lived.

Famous people with the name Thirkinton

• Dan Thirkinton: British actor most well known for his roles in films such as The Boat That Rocked and Wild Target.
• Ken Thirkinton: British football player who played in the 1990s and 2000s for teams such as MK Dons and Havant and Waterlooville.
• Christian Thirkinton: American music producer best known for his work on samples and beats.
• Bert Thirkinton: Former Director of the Centre for Economics and Business Research.
• Alan Thirkinton: British actor with numerous credits in television, films, and voiceover work.
• James Thirkinton: British business executive and philanthropist, most notably for being the Chairman of the integrated medical services provider Outcomes Based Healthcare.
• Susan Thirkinton: Notable British judge best known for presideing over the case of Rushden Shoes Ltd in the House of Lords.
• Frank Thirkinton: Australian sculptor whose work has been showcased in galleries all over the world.
• Ginger Thirkinton: British actress with various credits in television and films, including regular callback roles on EastEnders and Holby City.
• David Thirkinton: Retired British Army Major and civil servant, known for his work on the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and the Defence Equipment and Support.

Other surnames

Thirkington