Surname Threlkeld - Meaning and Origin

Threlkeld: What does the surname Threlkeld mean?

Threlkeld is an English surname that originated from the village of Threlkeld in the county of Cumbria, England. The name itself is believed to be derived from Old Norse, with "þrǫll" meaning troll or supernatural being, and "kjarr" meaning marsh, thus indicating a place believed to be a marshy area inhabited by trolls or supernatural beings. So, the surname might suggest that the initial bearers of the name lived in or near such a location. Due to the migratory nature of human beings, the surname is now found in various parts of the world with different variations depending on the language and pronunciation. As with many surnames, it is also used to trace family lineage.

Threlkeld: Where does the name Threlkeld come from?

The last name Threlkeld is thought to have originated from a village in the north of England, located in the county of Cumbria. It's believed to have been a hamlet with a hill that was used as a burial site for the Threlkeld family. Today, the last name is most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in the north of England. It has spread to other countries, although not as commonly. In the United States, it is mainly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. There have also been some cases in Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Threlkeld is the name of a few places in the United Kingdom, including a small river And the Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum, located in Cumbria. It has also been used as a first name in some instances.

The Threlkeld family by tradition is thought to be a mix of some of the oldest British families. Many of the descendants would have settled in the north of England where they may have obtained their last name.

Today, the name Threlkeld is still being used. However, it is not as common as it once was due to the number of emigrations that have taken place from the United Kingdom over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Threlkeld

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Threlkeld are Thrilkild, Threllkild, Thrilkel, Thrilkild, Threlkill, Thrallkeld, Thrillkeld, and Threlkeold.

Threlkeld was a popular last name in Britain during the Middle Ages and the spelling variants were used to suit the dialect in different areas. The root of the name can be traced back to Old English words ‘þreylic’ and ‘kelde’ which roughly translates to ‘clever’ and ‘springs of water’ respectively.

The first documented reference to the name was recorded in the National Archives in 1273 when Hades de la Threllkild was mentioned. The Threlkeld variant is more prevalent in Northumberland, Cumbria, Durham, and London.

The Threlkill spelling is found mainly in Yorkshire, while Thrilkel is more common in Scotland. The Thrallkeld spelling is found in Durham, North East England, and scattered spots around England.

Thrillkeld is more commonly seen in Staffordshire, while Threlkeold are predominant in Scotland. A few other spellings related to Threlkeld are Torkelkvilt, Trekellet, Toddkrille, and Torekkild.

Different spelling variations of the Threlkeld surname have seen a gradual decline in prevalence in recent times.

Famous people with the name Threlkeld

• Derek Threlkeld: Professional soccer player who currently plays for Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship.
• Mike Threlkeld: Former Major League Baseball player who pitched in the majors from 1985-1991 mostly for the Montreal Expos and Chicago White Sox.
• WM. Threlkeld: The identity of the author of An History of the Druids, Ancient Religious and Philosophical Sect of the Britons published in 1737 could have been WM. Threlkeld.
• Don Threlkeld: An American former professional baseball outfielder who played in the Major Leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1971 and 1972.
• Spike Threlkeld: Actor who is known for his work on Temple Grandin (2010), The Magicians (2015) and Mom (2013).
• Steve Threlkeld: American former professional baseball second baseman who played in the Major Leagues from 1972-1977.
• Urban Threlkeld: USC Trojans track and field head coach from 1975 to 1978.
• Charles Threlkeld: A former professional baseball pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1912-1917.
• David Threlkeld: An American former professional baseball pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1982-1988.
• Kevin Threlkeld: An American former professional baseball first baseman who played in the Major Leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1992.

Other surnames

ThrelkelThrelkell