Surname Tharkington - Meaning and Origin
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Tharkington: What does the surname Tharkington mean?
The last name Tharkington is an English surname of continental Germanic or Teutonic origins. It is a combination of two distinct elements - the surname Thark, which may refer to a city or location that was home to this family, and the suffix ington, which is derived from the Old English word 'ing', meaning 'family of' or 'dweller at'.
The first recorded use of the surname was in Old English documents from the 11th century, and early bearers of the last name were likely found in the South of England. It is likely that the Tharkington family originated in an area near the city of Thark, which was founded by a Viking chieftain called ‘Thorkill,’ many centuries before.
In modern days, the name has multiple spellings, including Tharrington, Tharington, Tarkenton, and Tharkenton. While the origins of the name can be traced to an old English era, it is also popular in other nations such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, with the spelling Tharkenton being the most common.
The Tharkington family has likely gone through centuries of evolution, but their name still stands for a piece of history from which they could take great pride. The name is a testament to the story of an early family's settlement in a new land, and it is a reminder of their strong resolve to make a better life for their descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisTharkington: Where does the name Tharkington come from?
The last name Tharkington is not common in any particular region today. It is rare in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other regions of the world. The surname is likely derived from a place name in the United Kingdom, possibly derived from the pre-7th-century Old English thorwring or Thor'ringtun.
The name is possibly derived from the Old English word Thor which was a name for one of the Norse gods and -ing (meaning family, people, tribe or descendants) and -tun, a word meaning a farmstead or estate. It could have been derived from one of the many villages that have existed in England since ancient Saxon and Viking times.
The Tharkington name can still be found in a few small villages and areas in England, however not in large numbers in any particular region today. It is also quite rare in the United States. In fact, the most recent U.S Census only recorded 31 people with the Tharkington surname.
Despite its small number, the Tharkington name has a long history which can be traced back to Viking and Saxon times. The name is also quite unique which makes it a memorable one. In addition, the people with this name have likely had a long history of interesting and fascinating stories to tell due to its rarity and historical origin.
Variations of the surname Tharkington
The surname Tharkington has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants of the name are derived from the Old English term “thorce” meaning “thorn” or “thistle”, along with “tun” meaning “enclosure or settlement”. Therefore, the surname itself could represent an individual who lived near a thorn bush or fence.
Variant spellings of Tharkington include Tharchington, Tharkintun, Thrkinton, Tarkington,Thorckinton, and Thirkinton.
Other surnames derived from the same source include Thackston, Thaxtun, Thackmer, Thistleton, Thistlestone, Thornicroft, Thorndill, Thornewill, and Thorogood.
The Tharrginton, Tharrington, and Tharringtun surname is derived from some combination of either the Old English elements “þearf,” meaning “thorn” and “ing” meaning “meadow,” or “tun” meaning “enclosure or settlement.”
The Harringtun surname is also derived from a combination of the Old English words “þearf”, which means “thorn” and “ing” meaning “meadow,” or “tun” meaning “enclosure or settlement.”
Common diminutives for Tharkington include Thack, Thackett, Thackie, Thackman, Thackston, Thacky, and Thax.
All of these variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin help to provide an understanding of the heritage of the surname Tharkington. While the meanings behind the surnames may vary, they all share a source in the Old English language. Such names give us a unique insight into the past and the individuals who bore these names.
Famous people with the name Tharkington
- Larry E. Tharkington: American poet, author, and educator.
- Ann Tharkington: Scottish entrepreneur and Managing Director of her business.
- Rob Tharkington: Former professional American football player.
- Alexis Tharkington: British television presenter, author, and presenter of BBC radio shows.
- Jack Tharkington: Former Major League Baseball player.
- Hu Tharkington: Former President of the United States.
- Ken Tharkington: American professional rodeo competitor.
- Houston Tharkington: Country Music artist and songwriter.
- Adam Tharkington: British actor and director.
- Jennifer Tharkington: Former Olympic level athlete and World Championship gold medalist.