Surname Thoroughgood - Meaning and Origin

Thoroughgood: What does the surname Thoroughgood mean?

The surname Thoroughgood is of English origin and is considered a nickname or descriptive surname. It derives from the Middle English phrases "thurgh" and "gode", which translate to "thoroughly good." Therefore, it was likely used to characterize a person who is 'good through and through', signifying that they were a virtuous and upright individual. It's a compound of Old English elements, 'þurh' meaning “through” and 'god' meaning “good”. Over centuries, variations do occur in spelling of surnames and some of the common variations of Thoroughgood are Thorogood, Thoroughgood, Thorowgood and similar transformations. The surname is believed to have originated in the East Anglia region of England, with Norfolk being a particularly well-documented region for individuals bearing this surname in the past. Like many surnames, it was carried to new areas across the world with the migration of individuals seeking new opportunities, so can be found in a variety of countries today.

Thoroughgood: Where does the name Thoroughgood come from?

The surname Thoroughgood is fairly uncommon today, but it is found primarily in the United States. While it is most common in places like Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, it is found in various other states too. The genealogy website MyHeritage lists Thoroughgoods in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.

It is believed that the surname Thoroughgood originated in the American colonies when its first known user, John Thoroughgood, arrived in Virginia in 1635. Thoroughgoods later proliferated throughout the south and Albemarle Parish, Virginia was home to many of them by the late 17th century. From Virginia, they spread throughout the American colonies, often alongside other branches of their extended family tree.

Although the surname Thoroughgood is not particularly common today, it is still found in the United States and can be traced back to its origin in Virginia. It is also worth noting that many of the Thoroughgoods of today are descendants of John Thoroughgood himself.

Variations of the surname Thoroughgood

The Thoroughgood surname is a rare English surname, of Norman Conquest origin, and is derived from the Middle English word ‘thorugh’, meaning ‘complete’. Historically, one of the first records of the Thoroughgood surname dates back to 1189 when a Reni the Tolgod was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire.

Variations and spellings of the Thoroughgood surname include Thorogood, Thoragood, Thurgood, Thorold, Throgood, and Throughgood. All of these variants would have originally been pronounced in the same way.

In the 18th century, a popular spelling variant of the Thoroughgood surname was the Thurgood spelling. This spelling was found in some parts of England and Scotland, and often took the form of the Thurgoods spelling. Throughout the 19th century, however, the Thoroughgood spelling was more commonly used.

The Thoroughgood name can also be found in other languages. In German, the Thorogood name sometimes took the form of Toroud or Torod. Similarly, the French version of the surname, maintained the Torod spelling.

The Thoroughgood name was also found in Scandinavian countries at various times, usually taking the form of Thoroguod or Thorgod. It was also found in Polish as the Notesname – Thorgud.

In America, the Thoroughgood surname has taken a host of spellings and variants, including Thorogood, Thurgood, Thurbood, and Thurgoods.

Overall, the Thoroughgood surname is quite rare, taking many forms, and has been found in many countries and languages throughout its history.

Famous people with the name Thoroughgood

• Samuel Thoroughgood: Artist and musician from Virginia who co-founded the Norfolk-based metal band Lamb of God.
• John Thoroughgood: 18th-century English priest and author
• William Thoroughgood: 15th century English office holder and benefactor
• Jonathan Thoroughgood: 20th century American carp fisherman from Massachusetts
• Mary Thoroughgood: 18th century American diarist who wrote extensively about the Revolutionary War
• Arthur Thoroughgood: 19th century American politician who served as the first mayor of Norfolk, Virginia
• Gordon Thoroughgood:21st century English journalist and broadcaster
• Richard Thoroughgood: Colonial Virginia planter and land surveyor
• Alexander Thoroughgood: 18th century lawyer, planter and political leader in Norfolk, Virginia
• Margaret Thoroughgood: American sculptor from Virginia
• Thomas Thoroughgood: British soldier and officer who rose to the rank of Major-General of Foot in the Edwardian Army
• Elizabeth Thoroughgood: First female printer in the colonies and one of the few women to own a printing shop in colonial America
• Lewis Thoroughgood: 19th century English artist best known for his landscapes and topographic views
• Anne Thoroughgood: American painter and printmaker who was known for her depictions of the backyard gardens of Norfolk, Virginia 15.William Thoroughgood Clonfert: 19th century Anglo-Irish Anglican clergyman and author

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