Surname Tolson - Meaning and Origin
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Tolson: What does the surname Tolson mean?
The surname Tolson is of English origin and is believed to be a patronymic form of the personal name Toll. The name Toll often was a nickname for a stubborn or obstinate person, originating from the Old English term "toll" which means "mad, wild, crazy". Over time, "Toll's son" may have evolved into the surname Tolson. Therefore, the surname Tolson can be interpreted as "son of Toll" or "son of the stubborn one". Like many other surnames, Tolson can be linked back to a specific geographical location, profession, or ancestor. It appears in various historical records in England dating back to the Middle Ages, and is particularly associated with the northern counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Today, it's found among individuals and families in various parts of the world, especially in countries like the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia. Notable people with the surname include the poet and educator Melvin B. Tolson and the actor Reg E. Tolson.
Order DNA origin analysisTolson: Where does the name Tolson come from?
The last name Tolson is a primarily British surname. Today, it is most commonly found in the UK and Commonwealth countries, particularly in England, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Within the UK, the name is most concentrated in the counties of Cheshire and Yorkshire. The name is also sometimes seen in the United States, primarily in states with high populations of European immigrants, such as New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The name Tolson is believed to be derived from the Old English "tol," meaning a toll, with "son" being added as a patronymic suffix to form a surname. Indeed, records show that the first individual with this surname was Roger le Tolle, who is believed to have been a toll collector at the time of the Middle Ages. His descendants eventually adopted the surname Tolson (or very similar variations such as Toulson).
Today, the last name Tolson is most associated with England, but has become more widely dispersed across the world due to immigration. It continues to be a fairly common last name across the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, as well as in parts of the United States.
Variations of the surname Tolson
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tolson, come from a mixture of ancient English, Welsh, and Scottish roots. In England, the surname Tolson was derived from the Old English word tal, meaning 'mound, hill', plus the diminutive suffix -un. In Scotland, the name may have been derived from a variant spelling of Tal, such as Tawl, Tahl, Thol, Thal, or Tol, in combination with the Old English suffix -son meaning 'son of'.
In Wales, the spelling Tolson may have been either a variant of Tawlson or Tholson, depending upon the dialect of the place and time when the name was originated. Along with these spellings variations, other surnames of similar origin include Tolson, Tollson, Tallson, Talison, and Tolesson.
Additionally, many other forms of the name existed in past generations, including Tolso, Tolsone, Tollso, Tolason, and Towlson, as well as variants such as Tolsom, Talason, Telesson, and Tholson.
In the present day, the surname Tolson is very rare, although other spellings remain quite common, such as Tolson, Talison, and Tollson, in parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. Due to the amount of spelling variations, the surname is now considered to be quite eclectic and hard to trace through records, however, it is possible with some research and patience.
Famous people with the name Tolson
- Keith Tolson: American actor and writer.
- Jared Tolson: American Olympic athlete specializing in the Sprint events.
- Ann Tolson: English actress.
- Alexander Tolson: Scottish professional footballer and manager.
- Betty Tolson: American children’s rights advocate.
- Emily Tolson: American archer.
- Freddie Tolson: American actor.
- Joseph Tolson: American World War II soldier.
- Scott Tolson: American musician and songwriter.
- Tyler Tolson: American singer-songwriter.