Show ContentsTomblin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Tomblin surname in Ireland are thought to have arrived with or in the wake of the 12th century Anglo/Norman invasion of the Emerald Isle, led by Strongbow. The surname Tomblin is ultimately derived from the personal names Timothy or Thomas. The Gaelic form of the surname Tomblin is Mac Toimin.

Early Origins of the Tomblin family

The surname Tomblin was first found in counties Wicklow and Carlow (Irish: Cheatharlach) a small landlocked area located in the province of Leinster in the South East of Ireland, from 1172. Timon of Athens (fl. 431 BC) was a citizen of Athens whose misanthropy grew to legendary status. He was the inspiration for Shakespeare's Timon of Athens (The Life of Tymon of Athens), one of his first tragedies.

Early History of the Tomblin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tomblin research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Tomblin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tomblin Spelling Variations

It was found during an investigation of the origins of the name Tomblin that church officials and medieval scribes often spelled the name as it sounded. This practice lead to a single person's being documented under many spelling variations. The name Tomblin has existed in the various shapes: Timmons, Timmins, O'Timmon, O'Timmons, Tymon, McToimin and many more.

Early Notables of the Tomblin family

More information is included under the topic Early Tomblin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tomblin Ranking

In the United States, the name Tomblin is the 9,888th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Tomblin migration to the United States +

In the 1840s, Ireland experienced a mass exodus to North America due to the Great Potato Famine. These families wanted to escape from hunger and disease that was ravaging their homeland. With the promise of work, freedom and land overseas, the Irish looked upon British North America and the United States as a means of hope and prosperity. Those that survived the journey were able to achieve this through much hard work and perseverance. Early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Tomblin:

Tomblin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Tomblin, who landed in Maryland in 1676 2
Tomblin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Clara L. Tomblin, aged 18, who landed in America, in 1892
  • Tra Tomblin, aged 63, who landed in America, in 1894
  • P. T. Tomblin, aged 35, who settled in America, in 1895
Tomblin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Oscar Tomblin, aged 54, who landed in America, in 1905
  • O.J. Tomblin, aged 40, who immigrated to the United States, in 1906
  • Edward Tomblin, aged 42, who immigrated to America from London England, in 1913
  • Mary Tomblin, aged 56, who landed in America from London, England, in 1920

Australia Tomblin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Tomblin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Tomblin, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Constance" 3
  • Hannah Tomblin, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Constance" 3
  • John Tomblin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1849 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Tomblin (post 1700) +

  • Teddy Tomblin, American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates 24th District; Elected 2012 4
  • Randy Tomblin, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates 19th District, 2012 4
  • Earl Ray Tomblin (b. 1952), American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates 16th District, 1975-80; Member of West Virginia State Senate 7th District, 1981-; Governor of West Virginia; Elected 2011, 2012 4
  • Earl Ray Tomblin (b. 1952), American politician, 35th Governor of West Virginia
  • Lisa Tomblin, English Academy Award nominated film make-up department chief hairdresser for her work on the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
  • David Tomblin (1930-2005), English BAFTA Award winning film and television producer, assistant director, and director, best known for The Prisoner television series (1967-1968) and worked on the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CONSTANCE 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Constance.htm
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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