Surname Tompson - Meaning and Origin

Tompson: What does the surname Tompson mean?

The last name Tompson, also spelled as Thomson or Thompson, has origins in the British Isles, specifically Scotland, and it has been around since medieval times. Rooted in patronymic tradition where surnames were derived from the first names of one's father, it essentially means "son of Thomas". The name Thomas itself is of biblical origin, derived from the Aramaic name Tōma, which means "twin". Over time, this surname has branched off into different forms in various countries, such as Thomason, Thomassen, and Thomsson. The spelling variant "Tompson", without the 'h', is less common but still follows the same etymology. Today, Tompson and its other variants are widespread and fairly common in English-speaking countries.

Tompson: Where does the name Tompson come from?

The last name Tompson is most common today in the United Kingdom and the United States. Genealogical records from 2011 indicate that Tompson is the 4,222nd most common surname in the United Kingdom. That same year, Tompson was ranked as the 8,588th most common surname in the United States. It is also found in various other countries, including Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

In the United Kingdom, the greatest concentration of Tompson families are typically found in the southern areas like Greater London, Warwickshire and East Anglia. Recent immigration trends from other countries has seen an increase in the number of Tompson's in other areas of the UK, including Manchester and Merseyside in the northwest.

In the United States, Tompsons are most commonly found in Texas, Nebraska, and North Carolina. California, New York and Florida have also seen significant increases in Tompson populations.

The Tompson name is often thought to be of English and Scottish origin, but the name can also trace back to other European countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands and Spain. It is likely that the name was adopted and re-adapted by immigrants moving to new countries.

Variations of the surname Tompson

The surname Tompson is a patronymic derived from the personal name Tom. It can also be spelled as Thompson, Thompsen and Thomson. Variants of this surname include Tomson, Tamson, Thomsen and Thompkins.

Tompson is a very common surname in Britain, particularly in Scotland and Northern England, as well as in France, Germany and Scandinavia. The Manor of Tompson is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, with a Thomas de Tompson recorded in 1379. This family is thought to be the ancestors of the Tompson surname.

In the United States, the Thompson surname is most common, being the 17th most common surname in the nation. Of the various variants of Tompson, the Thomsen spelling is most common, appearing mostly in Denmark, with Thompson the second most common in the US.

There are also various regional variants of the surname, such as Tompkins or Tamkins in Cornwall, Thompsohn in southwest Germany and Tomason in Sweden. The surname Tamson is especially common in southeastern Scotland.

The Thompson and Tompson surnames share a distinct genetic surname molecular profile, suggesting their close relationship. Tomason, however, appears to be an unrelated name, most likely derived from the Old Norse personal name Tomasson.

Examples of famous people with the Tompson surname include the American Civil War Union General William Orpheus Tompson, and the British engineer William Tompson, who designed the Crimean railway.

Famous people with the name Tompson

• Sophie Thompson: English actress
• Emma Thompson: British actress
• Emeli Sandé: British singer/songwriter
• Lanny Tompson: American professional wrestler
• Tessa Thompson: American actress
• Adrienne Thompson: American actress
• Tom Stephens Thompson: United States military officer
• Olivia Thompson: British singer and songwriter
• Jack Thompson: Australian actor
• Fred Thompson: American lawyer
• Rumer Willis: American actress
• Hunter Thompson– American journalist
• Tori Thompson: British singer
• Tristan Thompson: Canadian professional basketball player
• C.J. Thompson: American professional basketball player
• Danielle Thompson: American actress
• T.I. Thompson: American rapper
• Kevin Thompson– American politician
• David Thompson: Canadian professional basketball player
• Jonah Thompson: American musician

Other surnames

Tompsett