Thomsan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Thomsan is one of the proud Scottish names to come from the Strathclyde clans of the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is derived from the ancient personal name Thomas, meaning twin.

Early Origins of the Thomsan family

The surname Thomsan was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where the first listings of the name were found in the early 1300s. They include: John Thomson, "a man of low birth, but approved valour", leader of the men of Carrick in Edward Bruce's war in Ireland in 1318 and Adam Thomson who was listed as Lord of Kylnekylle, Ayrshire c. 1370-80. Closing out that century was Johannes filius Thome who was elected bailie of Aberdeen in 1398. 1

In the 15th century, we found: "John Tomson [who] witnessed a grant in Ayr in 1401. Donald Thomson was one of an inquest to determine the rights of pasturage which the Temple lands had over the adjoining town and territory of Letter in 1461. John Thomsoun was juror on an inquest at Dunipace in 1426 (Cambus., 87), Duncan Thomsone of Auchinhampteris witnessed a bond of manrent in 1491." 1

Just over the border in Yorkshire England, records there show Adam Thomasson and Johannes Thomasson as holding lands there at the time of the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls in 1379. 2

Interestingly there is a record of the family far to the south and west in the parish of Tywardreath, Cornwall, England. "Treveryon-house and barton in this parish have been for many generations the property and occasional residence of the family of Thomson. This is now the property and abode of their representative H. Thomson, Esq. a captain in the Royal Cornwall Militia. Treveryon-house occupies an interesting situation, and claims something more than the mere mention of its name. In its front, it has four pillars of the Ionic order, cut from Cornish granite, of which they exhibit beautiful specimens. The front of this building displays much architectural elegance. The whole house is neat and commodious, and as a genteel residence according to its magnitude, it is deservedly to be reckoned among the abodes of gentility in this county. " 3

Early History of the Thomsan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thomsan research. Another 330 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1318, 1370, 1461, 1511, 1517, 1527, 1539, 1547, 1561, 1588, 1608, 1613, 1619, 1636, 1668, 1676, 1700, 1735, 1750, 1763, 1765, 1771, 1779, 1799, 1801, 1803, 1809, 1817, 1830, 1831, 1841, 1843, 1846, 1875 and 1884 are included under the topic Early Thomsan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thomsan Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Thomsan has been spelled Thomson, Tomson, Tamson, Thomsoun, M'Comie and others.

Early Notables of the Thomsan family

Notable amongst the family at this time was George Thomson (c. 1619-1676), an English physician, medical writer and pamphleteer, leading figure in an attempt to create a "College of Chemical Physicians"; and Charles Poulett Thomson, 1st Baron Sydenham (1799-1841), British politician, the first Governor of the united Province of Canada.Laurence Tomson (1539-1608), was an English politician, author, and translator, born in Northamptonshire and Richard Tomson (fl. 1588), was an English mariner who may presumably be identified with the Richard Tomson of Yarmouth. 4Alexander Thomson (1763-1803) was a Scottish poet, born in Edinburgh, and was an close friend of Robert Anderson (1750-1830.)...
Another 119 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Thomsan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Thomsan family to Ireland

Some of the Thomsan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 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 Thomsan family

To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: Edward Thomson arrived on the "Mayflower" at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620; Andrew Thomson settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in 1801.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print