Thomson Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Thomson come from? What does the surname Thomson mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Thomson and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Thompson
Surname Thomson Origin: What does the last name Thomson mean?
Thomson is a patronymic surname of English, Irish, and Scottish origin, meaning "son of Thom, Thomp, Thompkin, or other diminutive of Thomas", derived from the Aramaic תום or Tôm, meaning "twin". Variations of the surname include Thomason, Thomasson, and Thomoson. The name has been documented in Cheshire records before and after the 1066 Norman Conquest and has French variations like Thomassin and Thomsson. Notable individuals with the surname Thomson include musicians, politicians, and scientists.
YourRoots data reveals that the Thomson surname first appeared in records from Scotland in the early 14th century, with increased frequency in the United Kingdom from the 15th to 18th centuries. By the 19th century, Thomson surname records began appearing in the United States, signifying its spread across the Atlantic. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Thomson surname has become prevalent in countries like the United States and Australia, demonstrating its global reach and presence in various regions and cultures.
Thomson Last Name History: Where did the last name Thomson come from?
Origin of Thomson Surname: Where does the last name Thomson originate from?
The YourRoots database indicates that the surname Thomson first appeared in records from Scotland, a part of the United Kingdom, around the early 14th century. Please remember, this only includes YourRoots data for the exact “Thomson” spelling and does not account for other record sources or variations of the surname.
History of the Last Name Thomson: What does the Thomson surname history look like in the early days?
From its earliest records in the 14th century, the “Thomson” surname remained closely associated with the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland and England, for several centuries. The frequency of Thomson family records increased significantly in these regions during the 15th to the 18th centuries. The 19th century saw an increased frequency of Thomson surname records in the United States, indicating its spread across the Atlantic.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Thomson surname today?
By the 20th century, the Thomson surname was more commonly found in the United States, as indicated by the volume of Thomson records in the YourRoots database. The 21st century saw the Thomson surname appearing in records from Australia. Today, the “Thomson” surname, while still prevalent in its countries of origin, Scotland and England, is found in various countries. These include the United States, Australia, and potentially others not represented in the YourRoots database.
Explore Thomson last name heritage and Thomson surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Thomson Surame?
Josh Thomson
Joshua Joseph Thomson (born Sep 21, 1978) is a former American mixed martial artist turned podcaster, commentator, and analyst. Known for his time in Bellator MMA, PRIDE, Strikeforce, and UFC, Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion with a colorful career both inside and outside the cage.
Graeme Thomson
Sir Graeme Thomson (9 Aug 1875 - 28 Sep 1933) was a British civil servant known for his exceptional service in the Admiralty during World War I. He later became a prominent colonial governor in British colonies like Nigeria and Ceylon, receiving high honors for his contributions.
Genevieve Clark Thomson
Genevieve Clark Thomson (November 30, 1894 - February 16, 1981) was an American suffragist known for advocating temperance and working with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She ran for Congress in 1924 but lost the election. Thomson was the daughter of politician Champ Clark.
Archibald Thomson
Archibald A. Thomson (16 Apr 1860 - 10 Sep 1925) was a Scottish tennis player known as Lobby Thompson. He competed at Wimbledon and won 10 career singles titles. Born in Alloa, Scotland, he was active from 1880 to 1894, winning titles at various championships.
Willie Thomson
Willie Thomson (c. 1851 - unknown) was a Scottish professional golfer in the late 19th century. He had three top-10 finishes in The Open Championship, with his best performance being tied for fourth place in 1876.
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