Show ContentsThomas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Thomas

What does the name Thomas mean?

The surname Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas family

The surname Thomas 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 Thomas family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thomas 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 Thomas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thomas Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Thomas family

  • 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
  • Samuel Thomas (1627-1693), an English nonjuring clergyman and controversialist from Ubley, Somerset
  • Sir William Thomas of Folkington Sussex was created a Baronet in 1660
  • Nathaniel Thomas (1643-1718), a colonial magistrate and politician, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court of Judicature (1712-1718)
  • Thomas of Yapton, created a Baronet in 1766 by George III

Thomas World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Thomas is the 8th most popular surname with an estimated 162,177 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Thomas is ranked the 13rd most popular surname with an estimated 57,043 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Thomas is the 26th popular surname with an estimated 5,802 people with that name. 6 Canada ranks Thomas as 42nd with 41,057 people. 7 Quebec, Canada ranks Thomas as 419th. 8 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Thomas as 187th with 219 people. 9 The United States ranks Thomas as 12nd with 773,457 people. 10 France ranks Thomas as 4th with 95,387 people. 11 Netherlands ranks Thomas as 689th with 2,710 people. 12 South Africa ranks Thomas as 203rd with 31,908 people. 13

Migration of the Thomas family to Ireland

Some of the Thomas 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.

Thomas 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. David Thomas, Welsh settler convicted at Monmouthshire, Wales 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 14
  • Mr. James Thomas, 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 15
  • Mr. John Thomas, British settler convicted at Middlesex, 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 15
  • Mr. John Thomas, 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 15
  • Mr. John Thomas, (d. 1790), British settler convicted at Lancaster, 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, may have died on the ship 15
Second Fleet
Third Fleet
  • Mr. James Thomas, (b. 1765), aged 22, English settler convicted in London on 16th October 1782, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 15
  • Mr. James Thomas, (b. 1764), aged 23, English settler convicted in London on 8th December 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 15
  • Mr. John Thomas, (b. 1764), aged 23, West Indian settler convicted in London on 21st April 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 15
  • Miss Elizabeth Thomas, (b. 1766), aged 21, English settler convicted in Preston, Lancashire on 11th January 1787, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 15
  • Mrs. Ann Thomas, British settler on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Thomas Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Thomas Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Thomas Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Miss Ann Thomas, (b. 1806), aged 22, English house maid who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Competitor" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • Miss Ann Thomas, (b. 1798), aged 30, Welsh house maid who was convicted in Glamorgan, Glamorganshire, Wales for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Competitor" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, (b. 1793), aged 35, Welsh dairy maid who was convicted in Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales for 14 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the "Competitor" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 1 child aboard the ship 21

Thomas 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:

Thomas Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1833 22
  • William Thomas, who landed in Korohiwa, opposite Mana, New Zealand in 1836 aboard the ship Caroline
  • William Thomas, aged 33, a miner, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 23
  • William Robins Thomas, aged 6, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 23
  • Eliza Robins Thomas, aged 4, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Thomas 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
Thomas Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Thomas, (b. 1610), aged 25, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 25
  • Mr. David Thomas, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 26
  • Mr. William Thomas, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 26
  • Jo Thomas, (b. 1621), aged 14, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 27
  • Mr. Richard Thomas, (b. 1595), aged 40, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 27
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Thomas migration to Canada +

Thomas Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Martin Thomas, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 14th April 1673 28
  • Henry Thomas, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in 1685 29
Thomas Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Thomas U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 193 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 30
  • Mr. Samuel Thomas U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 30
  • Mr. Samuel Thomas U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 30
  • Mr. Stephen Thomas U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 30
  • Mr. Thomas Thomas U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Freeman in 1795 was a Boat Builder 30
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thomas Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Ann Thomas, who arrived in Canada in 1832
  • Mrs. Thomas, aged 35, a lady, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Sarah" from Bristol, England
  • Mary Thomas, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Ester Thomas, aged 19, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
  • William Thomas, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Thomas migration to the United States +



Thomas Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Joe and Robert Thomas, who all, who settled in Virginia in 1621
  • Mr. Nathaniel Thomas, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Temperance" 31
  • Mr. John Thomas, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Southampton" 31
  • Mr. Richard Thomas, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Speedwell" 31
  • Mr. Gabriel Thomas, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Abraham" 32
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thomas Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Matheus Thomas, who sailed for America in 1709 with his wife and daughters
  • Heinrich Thomas, who settled in America in 1709 settling in Carolina or Pennsylvania
  • Andreas Thomas, who landed in New York, NY in 1710-1714 33
  • Alexander Thomas, who settled in Virginia in 1717
  • Edwin Thomas, who settled in Nevis in 1747
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thomas Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Amyus Thomas, who arrived in New York in 1807 33
  • Angus Thomas, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1812 33
  • Mr. William Thomas, (b. 1815), aged 21, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 11th May 1836 34
  • Mr. William Thomas, (b. 1800), aged 36, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 11th May 1836 34
  • Mr. Edward Thomas, (b. 1817), aged 20, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship"Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 34
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thomas Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Catherine Thomas, aged 44, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Johana Thomas, aged 21, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Martha Thomas, aged 19, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Austin William Thomas, who landed in Mississippi in 1902 33
  • Mr. Saul J. Thomas, aged 6, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Thomas (post 1700) +

  • Barrie Thomas (1937-2025), English professional footballer who played as a centre forward
  • Dame Kristin Ann Scott Thomas D.B.E. (b. 1960), five time BAFTA award winning British actress, best known for her roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, The English Patient, Mission: Impossible, Darkest Hour and Tomb Raider. She was appointed Officer of the British Empire in 2033, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2015
  • Bryan Keith Thomas (1928-2024), English architect, his work includes the house at Beth Chatto Gardens (1960)
  • Dame Kathrin Elizabeth Thomas DCVO, JP (1944-2023), English public servant, Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan from 2003 to 2019
  • Peter Thomas (1944-2023), English footballer who played as a goalkeeper in England, Ireland and United States
  • Kevin Anthony Thomas (1944-2022), English footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Blackpool, Tranmere Rovers, Oxford United and Southport (1966-1976)
  • Raymond "Ray" Thomas (1941-2018), English musician, flutist, singer and composer in the rock band The Moody Blues
  • Hugh Swynnerton Thomas (1931-2017), Baron Thomas of Swynnerton, an English historian, writer and life peer in the House of Lords
  • Serena Scott Thomas (b. 1961), English actress known for her portrayal of the character Dr. Molly Warmflash in the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough
  • ... (Another 129 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. Walter Daniel Thomas (1910-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Whangaparoa, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 35
  • Mr. Roy Pearce Thomas (d. 1979), New Zealander passenger, from Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 36
  • Mr. Robert F Thomas (1962-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Roslyn, New York, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 36
  • Mr. Randall Keith Thomas (1954-1985), American Sergeant from Springdale, Arkansas, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 37
  • Günter Thomas (1922-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 37
  • ... (Another 98 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Thomas +

  • Ancestors and Kin... by Robert Walden Coggeshall.
  • The Descendants of William Thomas by Francis Marion Ammon.
  • Thomas Ancestors: A History of a Thomas Family by Mark Everett Thomas.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. "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
  9. 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)
  10. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  11. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  12. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  13. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  14. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bellona
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  25. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  27. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  28. Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
  29. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  30. 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
  31. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  32. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  33. 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)
  34. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  35. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  36. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  37. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details

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