Surname Thornber - Meaning and Origin
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Thornber: What does the surname Thornber mean?
The surname Thornber is of English origin and is thought to be a locational surname. It has its roots in the Old English words "þorn", which means "thorn bush", and "bearu", which means "grove" or "wood". Therefore, it could mean "grove of thorn bushes". This surname likely originated from a geographical feature, such as a grove full of thorn bushes. It is believed that the surname may have originated in Lancashire, a county located in the North West of England. Over time, the spelling of such surnames has evolved and Thornber could also be found in variations like Thornborough or Thornberry. As is the case with most surnames that are linked to a location, it is likely that the original bearers of the Thornber surname lived near or in such a location, giving them this surname. In summary, Thornber means "grove of thorn bushes", originating from a topographical feature, demonstrating a common practice of surnames in English history.
Order DNA origin analysisThornber: Where does the name Thornber come from?
The last name Thornber is commonly found in the United Kingdom and Australia. It is also present in the United States, however its popularity is not as great.
In the United Kingdom, the name is most prevalent in northwest England, particularly in Lancashire and North Yorkshire. This is where the name originates from and can be traced back to a region of northern Lancashire called Thornber, which was first recorded in 1086. The name is also popular in nearby counties such as Cumbria, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Derbyshire.
Thornber is also a fairly common surname in Australia, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales. According to Ancestry.com.au, there are about 1,449 people with the Thornber surname in Australia today. Within the Australian states, the highest concentrations of the surname can be found in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, and New South Wales.
In the United States, the Thornber surname tends to be less common, with a population of roughly 650 people. The highest concentrations of the last name can be found in California, Texas, Arizona, and Ohio.
Overall, the surname Thornber is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Australia, but can be found in small pockets around the world, including the United States.
Variations of the surname Thornber
The surname Thornber is thought to originate from Yorkshire, England and has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Thornber is the original form of the surname, which is thought to derive from a topographical name for someone who lived by a thorn bush, or someone who made and sold clothing pins. The variants of this surname include Thornbar, Thornberry, Thorneberry and Thornborough.
The variants spellings of Thornber include Thornebur, Thornberg, Thornburgh, Thorneburg, Thornburger, Thornbaer, Tonbur, Thornbra, Tonburgh, Thornbarre, Turnbur and Turnbir.
Surnames of the same origin include Turnbrook, Thurnbough, Thurnburrow, Thurnberger, Tarnber and Tarnborough.
Other interesting variants of Thornber include Thurnall, Turnber, Thurnell, Thornball, Thurnwell, Turnbair, and Turnbo.
Variations of Thornber, spellings, and surnames of the same origin provide an interesting insight into the many developments that may have occurred in the course of the surname's history. By examining these variants and spellings, researchers can gain a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the surname and itsver origins.
Famous people with the name Thornber
- Mike Thornber: English cricketer who currently plays for Lancashire.
- Sarah Thornber: British writer and poet who has written several novels, plays, and short stories.
- Mark Thornber: Australian artist and sculptor primarily known for his work in printmaking, ceramics, and painting.
- Chris Thornber: British electronic music producer and DJ known for founding Melting Pot Music and developing the Trax In Space mobile app.
- Tom Thornber: American entrepreneur and business executive who founded the Pacific Cyber Works technology company.
- Graham Thornber: British journalist and presenter for BBC radio and television, as well as a music producer.
- Hayden Thornber: Canadian actor best known for his roles in the TV series Orphan Black and Big Sky.
- Sonja Thornber: New Zealand archaeologist and curator, and the first New Zealand woman to gain a PhD in archaeology.
- Leif Thornber: American musician specializing in the traditional folk instruments of the British Isles.
- Morgan Thornber: British furnisher and interior designer best known for his work reviving traditional English upholstery techniques.