Surname Tomlinson - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Unexpected Turns in My Ancestry: A fascinating Journey with iGENEA DNA Test

Taking an iGENEA DNA test revealed surprises and unexpected turns in my ancestry, particularly my British surname Tomlinson. The assumed straightforward UK heritage took an unexpected turn with the discovery of a profound Scandinavian lineage.

E. Tomlinson

Tomlinson: What does the surname Tomlinson mean?

The last name Tomlinson is of English origin and is a patronymic surname derived from a popular medieval first name. It signifies "son of Thomas", coming from "Tomlin", a diminutive of Thomas, combined with "son". The name Thomas is of biblical origin, derived from the Aramaic name meaning “twin”. Thus Tomlinson can be indirectly said to carry the meaning "son of the twin". The presence of this surname dates as far back as the 14th century in England. It is fairly common in Northern England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire. This name may have evolved to its present spelling due to regional dialects and accents. Today, it is found globally due to the migration and expansion of the British Empire.

Tomlinson: Where does the name Tomlinson come from?

The last name Tomlinson is commonly found in many places around the world today. Within the United Kingdom, Tomlinson is one of the most populous surnames, with an estimated population of over 152,000 people. It is particularly common in Northern England, where it ranks as the 48th most popular surname in this region. Outside of England, Tomlinson can be found in many different countries across Europe, North America, and Australia.

In the United States, Tomlinson is the 181st most popular surname, with an estimated population of 16,165. However, the largest concentration of individuals bearing this last name can be found in the state of Missouri, followed by Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Additionally, this surname is quite common on Canada's Atlantic coast, and it ranks as the 594th most popular surname in Canada as a whole.

In Australia, Tomlinson is the 255th most popular surname, with an estimated population of 6,547. It is particularly common in the state of Victoria, as well as in New South Wales and Western Australia. The last name Tomlinson can also be found scattered across Asia, with an especially large population in the Philippines, where it is the 49th most popular surname.

In conclusion, the last name Tomlinson is a widely distributed surname that can be found in many countries around the world. Interestingly, it is especially common in England and its former colonies, suggesting the name has been around for many generations.

Variations of the surname Tomlinson

The surname Tomlinson is thought to originate from primarily Northern England and Scotland. Variants of the name are most commonly found in the spelling Tomlinson, Tomlison, and Tomlensen.

The surnames Thomlinson, Thomson, Tomson, and Thompson may also be closely related to Tomlinson due to their similar spellings and pronunciations. The spelling Thompson is from northern England, likely derived from a pet form of the personal name Thomas. The Scottish spelling Thom(p)son is likely derived from a Norse personal name. The phonetically similar name Tomp(s)on also exists, which is likely a patronymic form of the personal name Thom/Tom.

Variants of Tomlin can also be found in other countries, such as France, where it is spelled Toulmin and Tomlin. In Germany, the spelling Tolman is used, and in East Prussia it is spelled Toman. In Ireland, the surname Tomlin is derived from the Irish surname O'Tuamhaoil, which may be related to the Welsh personal name Tewdwr.

Other forms of the surname Tomlinson include Tomlison, Tomlinon, Tomlysin, Tomlison, Tomluin, Tomluen, Tomlin, and Tomling. In some cases, the surname Tomlinson has been hypercorrected to Tumbleton and Totalson. Other variations such as Tomlyns, Tamlyn, and Tamlin have also been found.

The name Tomlinson is also considered to be related to surnames such as Tollison, Tomline, Tollinson, Tomlinson, and Tomleson. These names share a common origin, though they exist in slight variation.

The surname Tomlinson is found all over the world, with variations in pronunciation and spelling. Though the name originated in the United Kingdom, its variants are found in many countries, and its popularity has endured throughout the centuries.

Famous people with the name Tomlinson

• Louis Tomlinson: English singer, songwriter and presenter, best known as a member of the boy band One Direction.
• Harry Tomlinson: English professional footballer who played in both the English Football League and the Premier League.
• John Tomlinson: British operatic bass.
• Jack Tomlinson: American actor, playwright, and theater director.
• Mark Tomlinson: English showjumper who won numerous medals in equestrian events.
• Harry Tomlinson: English sculptor and artist.
• Charley Tomlinson: English actress, best known for her appearances in My Mad Fat Diary and Bancroft.
• Ruth Tomlinson: British jeweller and goldsmith.
• Martha Tomlinson: Contemporary American composer.
• Felecia Tomlinson: Canadian actress and host, best known for her work on the MTV Canada show Video on Trial.

Other surnames

Tomlins