Surname Thurber - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Thurber: What does the surname Thurber mean?
The surname Thurber originates from England. It is derived from an old Norse personal name "Þórbjǫrn", which is composed of the elements "Þórr" meaning "Thor" (the Norse god of thunder in Scandinavian mythology) plus "bjǫrn" meaning "bear". Therefore, the implied meaning of Thurber is "Thor’s bear" or "Thor is as strong as a bear". The name Thor was often used among Scandinavian settlers in England to appeal to the Norse god for protection. Thurber is classified as a patronymic surname, that is, it descends from the personal given name (first name) of a father or a revered ancestor. Throughout the centuries, these types of surnames became a way to identify individuals by their association with a popular or well-regarded forebearer. Thurber is a rare surname and it is primarily found in The United States, followed by Canada. James Thurber, the famous American author and illustrator, is a prominent person with this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisThurber: Where does the name Thurber come from?
The last name Thurber is a rather uncommon one today, but it can be found most frequently in the United States. The origin of the name is believed to be derived from the Old German word for "door" and "guard."
Today, the Thurber name is found in all 50 states in the United States, but is most frequently seen in the eastern and midwestern states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. It has been tracked by the US Census Bureau since 1880 and is most commonly associated with those of German descent.
The Thurber name is also found in England, mostly concentrated in the Midlands region, where records indicate it was first used in the 13th century. Records also show that the Thurber name had made its way to America by the 1600s with some settlers coming from England.
In Canada, the Thurber name can be found in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta with some records from Quebec.
The Thurber name is a relatively uncommon one and is not found in large numbers in any certain area. It may have been more widespread in the past, but today it is found sparingly and mainly in the United States, England, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Thurber
The surname Thurber has several common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname are Thurbar, Thurbeer, Turber, Turbar, and Thurbarre. These spellings are found in both England and Ireland.
The surname may also be spelled as Thurbur, Thurrber, Thorbar, Thrbor, Thurbor, Thurburn, Thurburn,Thurbon, and Even Thurburne.
The German variants of Thurber are Turber, Durber, DRurber,Thurbro, Thurbo, Thirber, and Thierber.
The Irish variants of the surname are O Tuirbheirigh, O Tuirbhigh, O Thoirbheirigh, O Thúirbheirigh, O Thürbheirigh, O Thürbfhiadh,and O Thúrbhuiadh.
In Scotland, variants of the surname include Thurbere, Thurbarry, Thurbirry, Thurbrerry, Thurbirrie, Thurbirry, and Turbirrie.
In Wales, the surname is spelled as Turber, Thurber, Thiber, Thirbours, and Turbours.
Finally, American variants of the surname include Thurber, Thurbar, Turber, Turbere, Thurbure,Thurbello, and Thurbon.
Famous people with the name Thurber
- James Thurber: writer, cartoonist and journalist best known for his contributions to The New Yorker magazine where he produced acclaimed works such as The Catbird Seat and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
- Francis Thurber: successful American entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of the F.W. Woolworth Company.
- Charles Thurber: inventor of the sewing machine and the cash register.
- Marion Thurber—early American photographer and artist best known for her portraiture.
- Michael Thurber: TV producer, director, actor and writer who was behind popular shows such as Arrested Development and 30 Rock.
- Ryan Thurber: professional snowboarder and alpine athlete sponsored by Quiksilver.
- William Thurber: American politician from Rhode Island and first Mayor of Providence in 1842.
- John Thurber: US soldier and recipient of Medal of Honor for his heroics during the American civil War.
- Estelle Thurber: Powerful businesswoman who served on the board of directors for the Philadelphia City Bank and Trust Company.
- Janet Thurber: co-founder of the internet retailer Sheplers Western Wear.