Surname Spence-Thomas - Meaning and Origin
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Spence-Thomas: What does the surname Spence-Thomas mean?
The surname Spence-Thomas is a combination of two separate names, each with its own origin and meaning. "Spence" is of Scottish origin, originating from the Old French "Despenser", meaning 'to dispense' or 'steward'. It was typically used as an occupational name for someone who was in charge of dispensing provisions in a monastery or a manor house.
On the other hand, "Thomas" is of Greek origin and means 'twin'. This name was popularized throughout the Christian world due to the biblical Apostle Thomas. In England, it became commonly used after the Norman Conquest.
In the case of "Spence-Thomas", this combined surname might have been adopted for a variety of reasons such as marriage, to honor a maternal family line, or for another significant reason. The meaning thus depends on historical uses within individual families. As a consequence, it does not have a specific combined meaning but a historical significance reflecting these roots.
Order DNA origin analysisSpence-Thomas: Where does the name Spence-Thomas come from?
The last name Spence-Thomas is a common surname found mainly on the British Isles today. While the exact origin of the name is unknown, it is believed to be of English and Scottish origin, based on its presence across the UK and Ireland.
The name Spence-Thomas appears to have appeared most frequently in records in Great Britain around the mid-19th century with an increasing prevalence until the present day. Population data suggests the largest concentration of bearers of the name is in North East England (especially around Durham and Northumberland), followed by Scotland, London and the South East of England.
The surname is a combination of two distinct names, Spence and Thomas. The surname Spence is derived from the Old English word “spence” meaning “a room or storeroom in a great house”. The Anglo-Saxon name Thomas is fashioned from the Aramaic “toma”, which can be translated to mean “twin”. It is likely that, due to the ease in which both names could be combined and used, the surname Spence-Thomas became a common choice for couples.
In the modern age, families with the Spence-Thomas surname may be spread around the globe, with particularly large concentrations in countries where former British colonies were established, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name also appears to be popular in many African countries, suggesting that clarity in spelling and pronunciation of the name has enabled its prevalence in those areas.
Variations of the surname Spence-Thomas
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Spence-Thomas include Spence (and its variant Spens), Spenser, Spencer, Spens, Spensson, Spensson-Thomas, and Speence.
The Spence-Thomas name is a common one in England and Scotland, and is derived from the name of a person or place of residence. This surname is derived from the Old French term ‘despensier’, which means ‘steward’. In Old English, the word for steward was ‘spencer’. The Spence-Thomas name likely refers to a steward or administrative official, either in a monastery or in the house of a nobleman.
The various spellings and variants of this surname can be traced to a single source in the 12th century. The Spence-Thomas family has been traced back to Wiltshire, England, in the 1160s. The family is well documented in many areas of England and Scotland, including Middlesex, York, Northumberland, and Sussex.
Each of the variants of the Spence-Thomas surname carries with it its own unique spelling. For example, Spensson is a variation of Spencer and Spensson-Thomas a combination of Spens and Thomas, likely to indicate service to a particular lord. Speence is another variation which is found in Ireland and Scotland.
No matter the spelling, all of the variants of this surname undoubtedly derive from the original source of Old French and Old English names from the 12th century.
Famous people with the name Spence-Thomas
- Victoria Spence-Thomas: British actress, best known for her role in Coronation Street and her other TV credits.
- Anthony Spence-Thomas: British politician and former leader of the Conservative Party from 1999: 2006.
- Peter Spence-Thomas: British barrister and Chairman of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
- Ivo Spence-Thomas: British film producer, known for his work on films such as Mannequin and Ginny's Choice.
- Tania Spence-Thomas: British actress, best known for her role in the TV series The Hour.
- Mark Spence-Thomas: British writer, best known for the book Hobo, his latest works focus on comedy and adventure.
- Jamie Spence-Thomas: British actor, best known for his role in the TV series Call The Midwife.
- James Spence-Thomas: British painter, specializing in modern abstract works.
- William Spence-Thomas: British artist, focusing on figurative works and depictions of classical figures.
- Margaret Spence-Thomas: British sculptor and figurative artist, known for her various monumental pieces.