MacThomas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The surname MacThomas is derived from a Medieval given name of biblical origin that was popular throughout Europe. In Britain, most instances of the name as a surname came with the Norman invasion however, it also likely that MacThomas was also created as a surname from pre-Norman English given names.

"Before the Conquest, Thomas is found only as the name of a priest. After the Conquest it became one of the most popular Christian names." 1

Early Origins of the MacThomas family

The surname MacThomas was first found in Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire, and Hamptonshire where Thomas of Bayeux (1070-1100), Bishop of Worcester and Archbishop of York, held land as listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2

After the Norman invasion, Thomas became one of the most popular Christian names, and then in turn as a surname usage began to increase.

John FitzThomas, first Earl of Kildare and sixth Baron of Offaly (d. 1316), belonged to the great Anglo-Irish family of the Fitzgeralds, though the genealogies are contradictory. "The Earl of Kildare makes him grandson of Maurice Fitzgerald II, the justiciar, who died in 1257, and so far the descent is undoubted. In all probability his father was the justiciar's younger son, Thomas Macmaurice, whose death the Irish 'Annals' enter as taking place at Lough Mask Castle, co. Mayo, in 1271." 3

Early History of the MacThomas family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacThomas research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1261, 1275, 1317, 1582, 1593, 1627, 1630, 1643, 1660, 1667, 1686, 1693, 1712, 1718, 1766 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacThomas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacThomas Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Thomas, Tomas, MacThomas, FitzThomas, Thomasett and others.

Early Notables of the MacThomas family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas of Bayeux, the first Norman Archbishop of York; William Thomas (c 1630-1686), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Ludgershall in 1660; William Thomas (1593-1667), Rector of Ubley; and his son, Samuel Thomas (1627-1693), an English nonjuring...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacThomas Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacThomas family to Ireland

Some of the MacThomas 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.

Migration of the MacThomas family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Joe, John, Robert, and Nathaniel Thomas, who all settled in Virginia in 1621; as did Christopher Thomas in 1635 and Evan Thomas in 1653; Bary Thomas, who left Bristol for America between the years 1654-1679.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print