Surname Threadgill - Meaning and Origin

Threadgill: What does the surname Threadgill mean?

The last name Threadgill is of English origin and dates back to the 11th century. The name is derived from the Middle English words “thred” or “thredde” meaning “thread” or “twine”, and “gill” or “gyll”, meaning “to produce” or “to reserve”. The name was likely given to one who made or dealt in thread or twine, a trade that was once a lucrative livelihood in medieval England.

Threadgill is an occupational surname, meaning that it is linked to a specific job held by an ancestor. It is likely that those with this surname were related to the trade by descendants of craftsmen who were involved in the production of thread, such as weavers or spinners. The name may also be an indication of an ancestor’s place of origin, as it was common for villagers to have similar occupations to their neighbors.

Throughout the centuries, Threadgills have spread across the world, settling and engaging in trade in many different locations. Today, those with the Threadgill surname can be found in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, India, and many other countries. The legacy left by those early Threadgills has been maintained and passed down through the generations.

Threadgill: Where does the name Threadgill come from?

The last name Threadgill is most common in the United States today. It is most popular in the southern states, particularly in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. This is likely due to the high population of people with West African ancestry. The earliest recorded use of this name in the United States was found in South Carolina in the late 17th century.

Threadgills were most likely slaves brought to the colonies with British settlers from West Africa. The surname is a combination of two African words: threda, meaning "ancestor”, and kila, meaning “power.” This likely describes someone of great power or strong lineage.

The surname Threadgill can also still be found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Wales. It has been used in England since the late 13th century and is derived from an olde English term, thrydel. This can be roughly translated to mean “strongly built.”

Threadgill is not a particularly common name in the United States, but it can certainly be found across various states. It is a surname with a rich history dating back centuries and honoring those of West African and British descent. It is a name of great strength and power, and a reminder of the great influence those with African heritage have had around the world.

Variations of the surname Threadgill

Threadgill is a surname of English origin. Variants of the surname include Thredgill, Thredgill, Thredwill, Thridgill, Thrudgill, Thrudgill and Tredgill.

Threadgill is believed to come from the Old English word 'thrid', which means nothing. In this context, the name would literally mean 'nothing hill'. This was commonly used to describe a hill at the junction of two roads or a narrow pass. It came to be used as a surname, likely by people who lived near such points or who provided services related thereto.

The spelling of Threadgill can be trace back to documents from the 1500s, such as the Parish Registers of St. Mary, York in 1576. In 1582, a man named Adam Threadgill was mentioned in records from Northallerton, and in 1583, records from the same area mention Gyles Threadgill.

Notably, Threadgill is a very common surname in the United States. In fact, it is the 50th most common surname in the United States. The popularity of Threadgill in the US can be attributed to the fact that many Americans are descended from ancestors who migrated with their families from England in the 1600s-1700s.

In conclusion, Threadgill is an English surname with multiple variants and spellings, including Thredgill, Thredgill, Thredwill, Thridgill, Thrudgill, Thrudgill and Tredgill. It is derived from the Old English word 'thrid', which means nothing, and was likely used to describe a hill at the junction of two roads or a narrow pass. It is the 50th most common surname in the United States, likely stemming from ancestral roots originating in England.

Famous people with the name Threadgill

• Henry Threadgill: Grammy Award winning jazz composer, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader.
• Kenneth Threadgill: country music singer and popular Texas honky-tonk musician.
• Howard Threadgill: former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL).
• Barbara Vance Threadgill: former American football wide receiver who played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1976.
• Robert Threadgill: Former American Football offensive lineman and two-time Pro Bowl selection.
• Floy Threadgill: American motion picture, television, and theatrical actress.
• William Threadgill: Mormon pioneer and one of the founders of the town of Springville, Utah.
• Warren Threadgill: mid-twentieth century American artist, conservationist, and teacher.
• J.N. Threadgill: Louisiana politician who served in multiple political offices during the Reconstruction era.
• Timothy Threadgill: former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).
• Christine Threadgill: Founder and Chairman of the Board of the International Network Against Cyber Hate.
• Rebecca Threadgill: American actress, singer, and songwriter best known for her supporting roles in Broadway musicals.

Other surnames

ThreadgallThreadgell