Surname Trimble - Meaning and Origin

Trimble: What does the surname Trimble mean?

The surname Trimble is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Ó Tréinfhir," meaning "descendant of the strong man." It comes from a combination of the words "trean," meaning strong, and "fear," meaning man. The name was largely found in the counties of Fermanagh and Tyrone in Ireland. Over time, it has also adopted variants including Tremble and Trumble. Often, it was Anglicized to its present form during the 17th century when many Irish families were forced to adopt English names. The name may also have an occupational origin relating to a tumbler or acrobat, from the Old French “tremble", which means to tremble - skill that would be required on the trapeze and the high-wire. Therefore, the surname might refer to someone who was a tumbler or an acrobat by profession. Like many surnames, identifying their exact original meaning can be difficult due to changes over centuries, regional variations, and different spelling interpretations.

Trimble: Where does the name Trimble come from?

The last name Trimble is most commonly seen today in the United States but it can be found in other countries as well. As an English surname, Trimble may have been derived from the placename Tremble, which was an Old English word for “ash tree”.

In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, where it is ranked as the 253rd most common name. The state has the single highest concentration of Trimbles in the US, but the name can be found in many other states, including Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Indiana and Virginia. Illinois and California are two of the other highest populations of Trimbles in the U.S.

Trimble is also a common Scottish name, originating from the county of Ayrshire. This is one of the oldest recorded Trimble families in the country, dating back to the 17th century. In Scotland, the name is found mostly in Ayrshire and its surrounding counties.

In Ireland, the name is most often found in counties such as Donegal, Antrim and Derry. Additionally, the name is common in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Moving outside the British Isles, the name Trimble is found throughout the world. In Europe, it is seen in Denmark, Poland, and Lithuania. Canada is also home to a significant Trimble population.

Overall, the surname Trimble is not extremely common outside of the United States, but does appear in a variety of different countries and regions.

Variations of the surname Trimble

There are several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin as Trimble. The surname is typically Scottish in origin, and its earliest known recorded spelling can be found in 1243 AD, in Scottish records, as Tremul. Variations of the surname can be traced through various records, including Turnbill, Turnballe, Turnbil, Tremble, Tremblee, Tremelin, and Trem Mondays, as well as Tremel and Trempil. The surname Trimble can also be found in England, Ireland, and North America.

In England, variations of the surname Trimble include Trimbull, Trymble, and Trymball. In Ireland, forms of the name may appear as Treimle, Tremble, Trimblee, and Trimbill. In North America, variations include Tremble, Trembell, Trimbal, Trimbil, and Trimbill.

The fondness for nicknames is something that many surnames share, and Trimble is no different. A few of these nicknames include Tim, Timmy, Timbo, Bill, Will, and Trimbley.

Other related surnames with a heritage related to Trimble include Trombley, Tremlett, Tremlee, Tremmil, Trumbull, Trumble, Trumbelow, Trumbley, and Trimel.

In summary, the surname Trimble can be seen in a variety of forms with various spellings, and there are many other surnames that have a related heritage and meaning.

Famous people with the name Trimble

• Elizabeth Trimble: best known for her role as non-fiction author and multiple award-winner
• John Trimble: leading actor in the Off-Broadway revival of David Mamet's Oleanna
• Andrew Trimble: professional Irish rugby player
• Rachael Trimble: dancer and choreographer, as well as a motivational speaker and workshop leader
• Thomas Trimble: American founder of National Football League's Miami Dolphins
• Bill Trimble: former professional basketball player
• Gordon Trimble: former professional baseball player
• Russell Trimble: American Gospel singer and actor
• Robert Trimble: former American jurist who served as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
• Carol Trimble: American Country music singer and songwriter
• George Trimble: Nashville session guitarist and singer who has recorded with Cash Money Records
• Douglas Trimble: voice actor who has worked on numerous video games and television shows
• Justin Trimble: indie game developer who created the critically acclaimed game "The Floor Is Jelly"
• William Trimble: senior four-star general of the United States Air Force
• David Trimble: leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
• Paul Trimble: American author, director, and producer
• William Trimble: Brazilian artist who is known for his large-scale abstract paintings and sculptures
• Mary Ellen Trimble: American Civil War specialist and author
• Nathaniel Trimble: member of the New Jersey Assembly from Cumberland County in 1837
• James Trimble: first Speakes of the Alabama House of Representatives
• Laura Trimble: American author and illustrator of children's books
• David Trimble: recipient of the Order of Canada and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
• Jonathan Trimble: classical pianist and producer whose solo album 'Solitude' was released in 2020
• Ricciah Trimble: former professional international beach volleyball player
• Kelly Trimble: winner of the Cleo Bachelor of the Year award in Australia in 2008

Other surnames

Trimbel