Show ContentsThompson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Thompson Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Thompson

What does the name Thompson mean?

The roots of the distinguished surname Thompson can be found in Scotland. The name is derived from the popular given name Thomas, an Aramaic name meaning "twin," and refers to "a son of Thomas or Thom." 1 The spelling of the name with a "p" distinguishes the family from the Thomsons, who were a Scottish Clan originally known as MacThomais.

Early Origins of the Thompson family

The surname Thompson was first found in Cumberland, where the Thompson family held a family seat from ancient times. However, some of the family were found at Shotton in Durham. "The family of Thompson held property here, chiefly by copy of court-roll, at least as early as the reign of Elizabeth; and from them the estate came by marriage, in the middle of the last century, to the Brandlings." 2

"This name is distributed over the greater part of England, but is rare or absent in the south (south of a line joining London and Bristol). Its great home is in the north, in the region north of a line connecting the Humber with Morecambe Bay, and Northumberland in particular is pre-eminent for the number of its Thompsons. It extends in force in its Scottish form of Thomson across the border into Dumfriesshire, Roxburghshire, and is very numerous over a large part of Scotland, but particularly in the region south of the Forth and the Clyde. As we trace it southward from its northern home, we find its numbers rapidly diminishing. It is, however, well represented in the midlands. Further south, again, as above remarked, it becomes rare or dies out altogether." 3

Early History of the Thompson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thompson research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1614, 1625, 1639, 1659, 1661, 1663, 1668, 1673, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1689, 1690, 1693, 1695, 1698, 1700, 1701 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Thompson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thompson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tompson, Thompson and others.

Early Notables of the Thompson family

  • Sir William Thompson (1614-1681), English politician, Member of Parliament for the City of London (1661 to 1679); Sir Henry Thompson (ca. 1625-1683) was an English wine merchant and politician, Lord M...

Thompson World Ranking

the United States, the name Thompson is the 17th most popular surname with an estimated 669,003 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Thompson is ranked the 19th most popular surname with an estimated 62,999 people with that name. 5 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Thompson is the 596th popular surname. 6 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Thompson as 341st with 136 people. 7 Australia ranks Thompson as 10th with 62,098 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Thompson as 11st with 6,705 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Thompson as 14th with 137,269 people. 10 South Africa ranks Thompson as 406th with 17,580 people. 11

Migration of the Thompson family to Ireland

Some of the Thompson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thompson migration to the United States +



Thompson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Thompson, who was one of the passengers arriving in Plymouth, Mass on the "Mayflower" in 1620
  • David Thompson, who settled in Maine in 1623
  • William Thompson, aged 17, who landed in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" 13
  • Mr. Richard Thompson, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 14
  • Mr. William Thompson, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thompson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Dorothy Thompson, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 15
  • Elizabeth Thompson, who landed in Virginia in 1714 15
  • Allen Thompson, who arrived in New York in 1738 15
  • Hannah Thompson, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 15
  • Ebenezer Thompson, who arrived in New England in 1743 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thompson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alexander Thompson, who arrived in America in 1800 15
  • Christian Thompson, who arrived in America in 1801 15
  • Anna Thompson, aged 30, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 15
  • Hector Thompson, who arrived in America in 1804 15
  • Hugh Thompson, who landed in America in 1805 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thompson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Harry Adolph Thompson, who landed in Alabama in 1929 15

Thompson migration to Canada +

Thompson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Thompson, who arrived in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1756 16
  • Anthony Thompson, who settled in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1774
  • George Thompson, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1778
  • Andrew Thompson, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1780 16
  • Mr. John Thompson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 454 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thompson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Thompson, aged 54, Scottish mason who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1815-1816 with his wife and 4 children 15
  • Charles Thompson, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • Hiram Thompson, who arrived in Canada in 1831
  • Hugh Thompson, aged 29, a carpenter, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
  • James Thompson, aged 16, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Thompson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Richard Thompson, British settler convicted at Stafford, Staffordshire, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
  • Mr. Robert Thompson, (1753 - 1790), aged 36, British settler convicted at Yorkshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. Thomas Thompson, (b. 1748), aged 41, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. Charles Thompson, (Gullings), (d. 1790), British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. James Thompson, (1762 - 1792), aged 27, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Bishop Thompson, (b. 1776), aged 14, British settler convicted in Norfolk, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a handkerchief, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. George Thompson, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. John Thompson, British settler convicted in Cumberland, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. John Thompson, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. John Thompson, British settler convicted in Lincolnshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Third Fleet
  • Mr. William Thompson, (b. 1754), aged 33, English settler convicted in Durham, Durham on 26th May 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
  • Mr. James Thompson, (b. 1747), aged 40, English settler convicted in London on 7th July 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
  • Mr. William Thompson, (b. 1756), aged 31, English settler convicted in London on 19th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Thompson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Thompson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Thompson Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • "Mrs. Eliza Thompson, (b. 1802), aged 26, Scottish needle woman from Dundee who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years for house breaking, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia" 23
  • "Miss Phillis Thompson, (b. 1808), aged 20, English nurse girl who was convicted in Durham, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia" 23

Thompson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Thompson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • R Thompson, who landed in Hokianga, New Zealand in 1834
  • Mr Thompson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Middlesex
  • David Thompson, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • William Thompson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Alexander Thompson, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Thompson migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 24
Thompson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Thompson, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 25

Contemporary Notables of the name Thompson (post 1700) +

  • Prime Minister Sir John Thompson (1845-1894), Canadian politician, 5th prime minister of Canada
  • Howard Anthony Thompson (1964-2025), better known as Hitman Howie Tee or Howie Tee, was an English-born American hip-hop DJ and producer of Jamaican origin, best known for his work with U.T.F.O, Chubb Rock, Special Ed, and The Real Roxanne
  • John Edd Thompson (1942-2025), American Chief Meteorologist for WALA-TV in Mobile, Alabama
  • John H. Thompson (1951-2025), American statistician, 24th Director of the United States Census Bureau (2013-2017)
  • Major Joseph Henry Thompson (1871-1928), American highly decorated World War I veteran including the Medal of Honor
  • Geraldine FortenBerry Thompson (1948-2025), American politician, Member of the Florida Legislature from 2006 until her death in 2025
  • LaMarcus Adna Thompson (1848-1919), American inventor and businessman, sometimes called the "Father of Gravity", most famous for his patent for the roller coaster
  • Fredda Louise Thompson (1925-1980), later Acker, American professional baseball player and beauty queen, she joined the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1947
  • Bruce Anthony Thompson (1965-2024), American politician from the state of Georgia
  • ... (Another 93 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mrs. Billie Tadlock Thompson (d. 1979), American passenger, from USA aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 26
  • Mr. Henry Ford Thompson (d. 1979), American passenger, from USA aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 27
  • Mr. Scott Bryan Thompson (1963-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from South Waverly, Pennsylvania, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27
  • Mr. Danny C Thompson (1957-1985), American Sergeant from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 28
  • Donald Leo Thompson (1918-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • ... (Another 74 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Thompson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nosce teipsum
Motto Translation: Know thyself.

Suggested Readings for the name Thompson +

  • Edgewood, The Story of a Family and Their House by James Woolridge Powell.
  • The Family of William Taliaferro Thompson, Jr., and His Wife, Anne Claiborne McIlwaine by Ben Lacy Rose.
  • Dixie's Diverse Destiny by Margery Thompson Lockhart.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  14. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. 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)
  16. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  17. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  22. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
  23. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  25. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/daphne
  26. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  27. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550

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