Surname Thompson - Meaning and Origin

Exploring the Genetic Origins and History of the Thompson Surname with iGENEA DNA Testing

I recently used iGENEA's DNA testing service to explore the origins of my surname, Thompson. The test results, intertwined with historical context, provided a deeper understanding of my lineage and the rich tapestry of history that the surname carries with it. From a technical standpoint, the procedure was efficient and the resulting data meticulously evaluated, adding credibility to the findings.

S. Thompson

Thompson: What does the surname Thompson mean?

The last name Thompson is of Scottish and English origin and is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas." The name Thomas comes from the Aramaic byname, meaning "twin." Therefore, Thompson could loosely be translated to imply "descendant or son of the twin." This surname is common throughout English-speaking countries reflecting the frequency of the personal name Thomas during the Middle Ages. Like most patronymic surnames, the final "p" in Thompson makes it distinct from the Scottish form Thomson. The prevalence of the last name Thompson increased significantly due to early recording of this surname in church registers such as the marriage of Ales Thompson to John Beane in London in 1560. Although originally Scottish, the high migration of Scots to other parts of the world during the 18th and 19th centuries led to the global dispersion of the Thompson name.

Thompson: Where does the name Thompson come from?

The last name Thompson originates from England and Scotland. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the popular English and Scottish first name "Thomas." The "son" component indicates "son of Thomas," a standard formation in patronymic surnames.

It was traditionally most common among English and Scottish populations, as well as Irish populations to a lesser extent due to plantation schemes. This surname was also very commonly adopted by Scandinavian immigrants to English-speaking countries due to its similarity to the popular Scandinavian surname Thomassen, meaning exactly the same thing ('son of Thomas').

In today's world, Thompson is a very common surname in English-speaking countries, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. According to the 2000 United States Census, Thompson was the 19th most common surname, indicating its wide dissemination during the period of British colonial expansion and the subsequent centuries of economic and cultural globalization.

Variations of the surname Thompson

The surname Thompson has several variations, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. The surname is of Scottish and English origin and signifies 'son of Thom' or 'son of Thomas'. Alternative spellings and variants include Thomson, Tomson, Thomason, Thompsen, Thompsin, Thompsyn, Tompson, Thompsson, Tommson, and Thomsen.

These variations primarily reflect regional differences or were created to distinguish between multiple Thompson families living in the same area. Some of these variations may also be found as first names, such as Thomas or Tomas, often handed down from generation to generation.

In some cultures, the surname gets translated into a format consistent with the regional language; examples of these are MacTavish or MacTamhais in the Scottish Gaelic, and Tomás or Tomasi in Spanish and Italian respectively. In Ireland, the Mac Thomáis is an equivalent Irish-origin surname.

The 'p' in Thompson is silent and hence, often omitted in many variants. There are also rare and unusual spellings of the surname, like T hompson, particularly in historical documents where spelling practices were not standardized. These are however considered to be transcription errors and not recognized variants of the surname.

Famous people with the name Thompson

• Emma Thompson: A renowned British actress and screenwriter, known for her roles in 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Love Actually'.
• Kenan Thompson: An American actor and comedian, primarily recognized for his work on 'Saturday Night Live'.
• Tristan Thompson: A Canadian professional basketball player who has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA.
• Tessa Thompson: American actress who starred in 'Creed' and 'Thor: Ragnarok'.
• Hunter S. Thompson: An American journalist and author, famous for his work in gonzo journalism.
• Richard Thompson: An esteemed British songwriter and guitarist.
• Lea Thompson: An American actress, best known for her role in 'Back to the Future'.
• Klay Thompson: An American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA.
• Khloe Kardashian-Thompson: An American reality tv star previously married to Tristan Thompson.
• Scottie Thompson: An American actress known for her roles in the 'Star Trek' franchise.
• Jack Thompson: An Australian actor and one of the major figures of Australian cinema.
• Linda Thompson: An American songwriter/lyricist, former actress and beauty pageant winner.
• John Thompson: An American collegiate basketball coach.
• Susanna Thompson: American television and film actress known for her roles in 'Arrow' and 'Dragonfly'.

Other surnames

ThompsenThompsett