Surname Thorkington - Meaning and Origin
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Thorkington: What does the surname Thorkington mean?
Thorkington is predominantly an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a locational surname, typically derived from a place name. “Thorkington” is divided into two parts: "Thor" and "kington". The first part, "Thor", may originate from the Old Norse god of thunder, Thor, suggesting a possible Viking or Scandinavian influence. The second part, "kington", is a common English toponymic suffix denoting settlement or estate, from the Old English 'cyning' (king) and 'tun' (settlement). Thus, Thorkington can be interpreted as Thor’s settlement or the estate of Thor. Such a name might have been assigned to a town or village where settlers worshipped Thor. Over time, residents might have adopted the place name as their surname. However, it's important to note that the exact location of 'Thorkington' has not been traced in modern times within the UK. Therefore, interpretations of the surname may vary. The Thorkingtons maybe originally from an area in England which got this name due to historical Viking presence.
Order DNA origin analysisThorkington: Where does the name Thorkington come from?
The last name Thorkington is most commonly seen in the United States today. It is mainly found in the midwestern and eastern states, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region and in areas of the Midwest such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Historical information from the late 1800s and early 1900s reveals that the last name Thorkington originated in western and southwestern England, most likely in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. In the U.S., it was regularly found in Massachusetts and New York during the 19th century.
The last name is listed in the U.S. Census records from the 1700s and on into the early 20th century. In 1880, there were twenty-two families with the Thorkington surname spread across the Midwest and seven families with it in the East. As of the 2020 census, the last name had fewer than 200 living instances in the U.S.
The Thorkington genetic heritage is part of the larger British and American genealogical record. Those born with the last name can trace their family’s history using available genealogical records. By trying to trace their family’s ancestry, individuals can gain insight into their family’s past and uncover hidden secrets.
Variations of the surname Thorkington
The surname Thorkington is typically found in the United Kingdom or the United States. There are numerous variants, spellings and surnames derived from this Anglo- Saxon surname. Some of the most common variations of Thorkington include Thorkenton, Thorchington, Thorrington, Thrington, Thorington, Thorrington, Thurkington, Thorkintan, Thorckinton, Thorckenton and Torkington. As with many surnames, the spelling can often be corrupted by regional dialect or illiteracy.
Thorkington is also the root of several surnames which would have been used for various reasons, such as patronymics and occupational surnames. Variations such as Torkington, Thorckinton, Thoring, and Thurkinton could be used to identify ancestry, geographic origin, and profession. For example, the patronymic Thorckington identifies a person with the ancestor 'Thorc', while Thoring, a variant of Thorring, identifies someone with the ancestor 'Thorr'.
Other occupational based surnames include Torkington and Thorckenton. These variations could be derived from the Old English word 'Thorcung', meaning woodcutter, suggesting someone who was involved in the timber industry. Likewise, Thurkinton could have been used to identify someone involved in the operation of a mill, similar the Old English 'Thurc', meaning 'miller'.
Famous people with the name Thorkington
- Sir Trevor Thorkington, British Knight of the Order of the Thistle.
- Sir Arthur Thorkington, British Lieutenant-General and recipient of the Victoria Cross.
- Miriam Thorkington, American actress, best known for her role in the award-winning movie, “Job Interview”.
- Michael Thorkington, award-winning Canadian film producer and director.
- David Thorkington, American master blacksmith and swordsman.
- Sebastian Thorkington, a 19th century British composer and musicologist.
- Marjorie Thorkington, an American herbalist, homeopath and naturopathic practitioner.
- Heather Thorkington, a Scottish athlete and gold medalist in the 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Reshmi Thorkington, a renowned Indian chef, cookbook author and restaurateur.
- Pat Thorkington, a London-based entrepreneur, best known for her innovative approach to business.