Surname Telghurst - Meaning and Origin
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Telghurst: What does the surname Telghurst mean?
The last name Telghurst (also spelled Telfurst, Telforst, or Telford) is of English origin and is believed to be a topographical name derived from the Old English word "feld" meaning an open area of land usually meadow or pasture, and "hyrst" which means a wooded hill or hill grove. Therefore, its literal translation is "wooded hill where the open land is"—likely pertaining to a geographical area with a combination of meadows and woodlands.
In the Middle Ages a combination of the two was known as a 'feldhyrst', and it is believed that the residents of this area adopted the name Telghurst (or variants) as their family name. This demonstrates the importance of geography or place of origin in traditional surnames—as families were often identified by the area they lived in.
Telghurst is a very uncommon surname, even less common than its variants. This is likely due to its specific geographic origin and the fact that surnames were usually specific to one area or settlement. While the Telghurst name may not be as widely spread throughout the UK as some other surnames, its interesting etymology provides insight into its ancient origins.
Order DNA origin analysisTelghurst: Where does the name Telghurst come from?
The Telghurst surname is primarily found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The surname was first found in the early 13th century in County Dorset, England. The name is derived from either the Old English name “Teofaust” or from lands known as “Tollhurst.” County Dorset is still home to most of the Telghurst population today, though other major concentrations exist throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland in cities like London, Birmingham, and Dublin.
The Telghurst surname can also be found in North America, where it was brought by early English and Irish settlers. This makes sense, as North America has the largest population of UK and Irish descendants in the world. Connections with the Old World have easily been maintained, as Telghursts in North America can trace their ancestral roots back to specific areas in the UK and Ireland. Places like Indiana, Massachusetts, and Ontario have particularly large Telghurst populations.
The Telghurst surname is alive and well today. Though it’s not as common as other surnames, it’s still alive and present in communities across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and North America. Thanks to documented family histories and the use of the internet, modern day Telghursts continue to trace their family heritage and stay connected to each other, making the Telghurst surname an exciting point of pride for many in the Telghurst family.
Variations of the surname Telghurst
The surname Telghurst has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Telghurs, Telghus, Telghur, Teleghurst, Talghurst, Talhurst, Talgherst, Thalgurst, Thalhorst, Talhurs, and Thalgurste. Spellings such as Telghurste and Telghurth are also seen.
Telghurst is believed to be of Norman-French and Old English origin and derived from a combination of the elements “talh” meaning “swamp or marsh” and “hurste” or “hurst” meaning “thicket” or “woodland”. It can also be a topographic name that refers to someone who lived on an area of marshy or wooded land.
The first record of the surname in England dates to 1205, when a man by the name of Robert de Telghirste was recorded in the records of the Abbey of Bec, in Norfolk. Telghurst is also found in East Anglia and is considered a very rare surname in that region. Other branches of the Telghurst family are believed to have spread to the south and west of England.
Variations of the surname can also be found in Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and even the United States. In Scotland, possible variants of the name include Telghorste, Teleghors, Thalhurs, Talgurs, Thalgarst, and Talherst. In Ireland, the surname Telghurst is generally found as Talgherst and as Telghurst in Ulster. In Germany, the surname is usually spelled as Telgurst.
The Telghurst name continues to exist in multiple forms in present day, and all of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin remain linked to their English and Norman-French heritage.
Famous people with the name Telghurst
- Juliette Telghurst, British television actress best known for a role in the UK crime drama series "Midsomer Murders".
- Martin Telghurst, English professional football manager and pundit.
- Geoffrey Telghurst, British actor and writer who had featured roles in the science fiction TV series "Blake's 7".
- James Telghurst, British actor and singer, best known for his appearances on TV shows such as "Spitting Image" and "The Young Ones".
- Gerald Telghurst, British architect and designer whose work focused on the built environment and appeared in numerous journals and books.
- Kenneth Telghurst, English Army officer who served in World War II and rose to the rank of brigadier.
- Gordon Telghurst, British actor who made appearances in the BBC series "The House of Eliott".
- Anne Telghurst, British sculptor and painter whose works often appear in public spaces.
- Alan Telghurst, English actor and comedian who performed on stage and television.
- Richard Telghurst, British music producer, who has contributed to albums by the likes of Coldplay, U2 and Oasis.