Surname Thompkins - Meaning and Origin
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Thompkins: What does the surname Thompkins mean?
The surname Thompkins is of British origin and it is a variant spelling of Tompkins, from the personal name "Thomas", a biblical name meaning "twin" in Aramaic, plus the English diminutive suffix "-kin" which indicates "little" or "son of,". Therefore, Thompkins could mean "little Thomas" or "son of Thomas". It is a patronymic surname, which are derived from the father's given name. These types of surnames originated as a means of distinguishing people with the same first name. The spelling variation of Tompkins to Thompkins may have been due to regional differences, illiteracy, or misinterpretation. As people moved, they often altered the spelling of their names, and thus the same original surname could appear as different variations.
Order DNA origin analysisThompkins: Where does the name Thompkins come from?
The last name Thompkins is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, over 5,000 people had the last name in 2019. It is particularly popular in Southern states such as Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina. In fact, the last name is actually an overrepresented surname in the region.
The surname Thompkins mostly likely originated in England. The name can be traced back to the thirteenth century. It is derived from the Old English term ‘thomp’, which was a unit of measure. Over time, the surname has also been modified, leading to alternate spellings like Tomkins and Thumpkins.
The Thompkins family has been a part of American History since the late seventeenth century. Records show that the earliest Thompkins family member that settled in America was Thomas Thompkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1676 from England. Since then, the Thompkins family has spread out across the United States and left a lasting legacy.
Variations of the surname Thompkins
The surname Thompkins is a cognate of the given name Thomas. It is derived from the Greek name Θωμάς (Thomás), meaning “twin”. This surname is of Norman origin and is found in England, Cornwall, Scotland, and Ireland.
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the name Thompkins include Tompkins, Tumpson, Thomkins, Thimpson, Thampson, Thompson, Tompkinson, Thomsen, Tompsen, and Tampson.
The Thompson name is more commonly seen in Northern England, Ireland, and Scotland. It is an anglicised version of the Irish-Gaelic name ‘MacTomhas’. The name has two meanings; It is either derived from MacToin meaning ‘son of Thomas’ or MacTóim meaning ‘bear’. The variant ‘Thomson’ is also popular in Scotland. It is a patronymic name, meaning “son of Thomas”.
In Cornwall and Devon, the variant spellings Tompkinson, Tamson, Tumson, and Tumpson are found. The existence of this variant dates back to as far as the 12th century. The name Tampson originated in Devon, England and is an alternate form of Tompkins.
The Welsh variant Thompsen is derived from the Welsh Thomas, a given name associated with saints and kings. It is a patronymic name meaning “son of Thomas”.
The Scandinavian variant Thomsen is derived from the Old Greek personal name 'Thom', which was adopted into the Scandinavian languages in medieval times. The name Thomsen is primarily found in Denmark and Norway.
In Germany, the two most common spellings of the surname Thompkins are Thomsen and Thompsen. Both of these spellings originated from the given name Thomas. The Thompsen spelling is derived from an old Germanic suit dividing name Thom, while the Thomsen spelling is derived from the Old Greek personal name pre-dating the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Thompkins
- Dr. Mamie Thompkins: first Black woman to practice medicine in Toledo, Ohio.
- Chris Thompkins: American songwriter who has written for major artists like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.
- Delmar Thompkins: former American football Wide receiver
- Khari Thompkins: former NFL running back
- Jimmy Thompkins: American professional wrestler
- Robert Thompkins: former professional boxer
- Ronald Thompkins: US Army Vietnam War veteran
- Samuel Thompkins: American jockey
- James L. Thompkins: American politician
- Brian Thompkins: American basketball coach