Summary

The surname Thompson is of Scottish origin and is derived from the given name Thomas, meaning 'twin'. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is based on the father's name. The Thompsons have a rich history and were historically associated with agriculture and land ownership.
There are
664644
Thompsons in the USA
Thompson is the
23rd
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Thompson

EmmaThompson

Emma Thompson is a British actress and screenwriter known for her roles in films like 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'Howards End,' and 'Love Actually.' She has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards.

HunterS.

Hunter S. Thompson was an American journalist and author known for his distinctive writing style and for his books 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and 'Hell's Angels.' He is considered one of the pioneers of 'Gonzo' journalism.

TommyLee

Tommy Lee Thompson is an American astronaut and physician who flew on four space shuttle missions. He has also worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is known for his expertise in oceanography.

LeaThompson

Lea Thompson is an American actress known for her roles in films like 'Back to the Future' and 'Some Kind of Wonderful,' as well as the TV series 'Caroline in the City.' She has also appeared on the reality show 'Dancing with the Stars.'

EmmaThompson

Emma Thompson is a British actress and screenwriter known for her roles in films like 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'Howards End,' and 'Love Actually.' She has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards.

SueThompson

Sue Thompson is an American pop and country singer known for her hit songs in the 1960s, such as 'Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)' and 'Norman.' She continues to perform and record music.

KenThompson

Ken Thompson is an American computer scientist and co-creator of the Unix operating system. He received the Turing Award in 1984 for his contributions to computer science.

EmmaThompson

Emma Thompson is a British actress and screenwriter known for her roles in films like 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'Howards End,' and 'Love Actually.' She has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards.

BenThompson

Ben Thompson was a sheriff and gunfighter of the American Old West. He is best known for his participation in the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.

ScottThompson

Scott Thompson is a Canadian comedian and actor known for his work on the sketch comedy show 'The Kids in the Hall.' He has also appeared in films and TV shows such as 'Hannibal' and 'Touched by an Angel.'

Thompson Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Thompson' is of English origin and is derived from the medieval personal name 'Tom,' which was a short form of 'Thomas.' 'Thomas' itself is derived from the Aramaic word for 'twin.' The surname 'Thompson' originally indicated 'son of Tom' or 'son of Thomas.'
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Thompson' is most commonly found in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. It is also found in other countries with significant English diaspora, such as Canada and Australia.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Thompson' include 'Thomson' and 'Tompson.'
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Thompson' has been carried by immigrants from England to various countries, particularly during periods of British colonization and migration. Many Thompsons also migrated from Scotland to places like Canada and the United States.