Surname Tompsett - Meaning and Origin
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Tompsett: What does the surname Tompsett mean?
The surname Tompsett is of English origin, specifically from the southeast of England. It's considered a patronymic surname derived from the medieval personal name Tomp, which is a pet form of Thomas, combined with the Middle English diminutive suffix -et. Therefore, the surname essentially means “little Tom” or "son of Tom." The first recorded spelling of the family name is dated around the late 13th century in Sussex. Over the centuries, the surname has seen various spellings including Tomset, Tomsett, Tomsit, and Thomsett among others. It’s important to remember that surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, etc. Thus, the meaning of this surname provides a sort of historical snapshot of its initial bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisTompsett: Where does the name Tompsett come from?
The last name Tompsett can be commonly found today in the United Kingdom and its former colonies. In the 2011 UK Census, there were 462 people with the surname Tompsett, almost all of whom lived in England. Tompsett is a relatively uncommon name, and most were concentrated in the East Midlands (notably Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Warwickshire).
The name can also be found in the United States, particularly in New York and Massachusetts. It is thought to have originated in the old Englisha word ‘tomp’, which means a wooden drum. It is possible that the name once belonged to folks who used wood drums in their work, such as cooperage, carpentry, or brewing, as the name became popularized in some of these business areas. It is possible, too, that the name may have originated in Scotland, where the 'tomp' was a variant of ‘thump’, which meant to beat or tap.
Tompsett can be found in countries throughout the former British Empire, reflecting the name's humble origins. In Australia, Tompsett is particularly common in Tasmania, which was one of the earliest destinations for settlers from the United Kingdom. The name can also be found in Canada, where it is mainly concentrated in BC, as well as other parts of the world with historical ties to Britain.
The prevalence of the Tompsett surname shows how the influence of British colonization lives on today and has been passed down through generations.
Variations of the surname Tompsett
The Tompsett surname is derived from the word "tompson," an Old English nickname, derived from the name "Thomas," which means "twin." As the name has been passed down through the generations, it has undergone varying spellings and derivations. Some of the variants of Tompsett which can be found today include Tompkin, Tompkins, Tomkins, Tomson, Tomsonne, Tompsom, Tompsen, Tompsin, Toompkin, Tomkyn and Tomkynne.
When immigrants moved to new countries in order to start a new life, they sometimes changed the spelling of their surnames in order to fit in with the unfamiliar language or customs of the new country. As such, many of the variants of Tompsett include Americanized versions of the name, such as Tomkinson, Tompkins, or Tomkinson. In addition, immigrants have modified the spelling to create the more phonetically correct versions such as Tompkinsen, Toompkins, Tompson, or Tomsett.
The Tompsett surname can also be found in a variety of surnames with Scottish and Irish origins. Examples include Thompson, Thomson, Thompsett, or Thomason. Some of these variants have become so widespread that they are now separate surnames with their own unique spelling variations.
Overall, Tompsett is an interesting and fairly widespread family name. Its various spellings and variants trace the name’s long history. It is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of generations of Tompsetts who have built a life in new countries.
Famous people with the name Tompsett
- Anthony Tompsett: British military officer and author.
- Mark Tompsett: professional tennis player.
- Liam Tompsett: musician and actor.
- Harry Tompsett: British racing driver.
- Lily Tompsett: British actress.
- Martin Tompsett: Professor Emeritus of Military History at University of London.
- Emma Tompsett: British fashion designer.
- Richard Tompsett: British actor and singer.
- Doug Tompsett: Canadian politician.
- Gracie Tompsett: British gymnast and dancer.