Surname Thornburg - Meaning and Origin

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D. Thornburg

Thornburg: What does the surname Thornburg mean?

The surname Thornburg is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is a topographic or locational name. It is derived from the Old English words "þorn", which means "thornbush", and "burh" or "burg", which means "fort". So, the surname can be interpreted as "fortress in or near a thornbush". This implies that the original bearers of the surname likely lived in or near such a location.

The name could also possibly pertain to several places named Thornbury in England, which means "thorn tree fortress". The bearer of this name may have hailed from these areas.

Like many surnames, Thornburg was likely used to distinguish individuals based on their location or significant geographical features near their dwelling. This surname is common in the United States, but it also has a presence in England where it possibly originated. However, the exact origin and early history of the Thornburg surname remain largely speculative due to a lack of definitive historical records.

Thornburg: Where does the name Thornburg come from?

The Thornburg surname is quite common today, but its presence is heavily concentrated in the United States.According to the United States Census Bureau, about 10,000 people currently have the Thornburg surname, and a whopping 8,000 of them are living in the US. The remaining 2,000 people with the surname are scattered across the world in places like Australia, England, Canada, and Germany.

The vast majority of those with the surname in the US live in Tennessee and Kentucky. In fact, nearly five thousand people in Tennessee alone have the Thornburg name, the highest level of concentration being in Obion County. Other noteworthy concentrations include Bell County in Kentucky and Knox County in Tennessee.

Outside of the US, Scotland is known to contain many Thornburgs, particularly in the Lowlands where the Clan Gunn is based. In fact, it is known that a clan of Thornburgs involved themselves with the historic feud between the Clan Gunn and the Clan Keith which began in the fourteenth-century.

The surname Thornburg is believed to have originated from the Old English personal name of "Thor", making it a patronymic name meaning "son of Thor". While the exact origin is unknown, the Anglo-Saxon roots of the name are highly suspect.

Today the surname spawns many unique variations due to immigration and intermarriage, including Tornburg, Thorneburgh, Thornburghe, and Thurburgh.

Regardless of its current locations and history, the surname Thornburg remains a proud part of American history, and the families which bear it remain proud of their heritage.

Variations of the surname Thornburg

The surname Thornburg is a very old and widespread name that has many different variants and spellings. Some of these include Thornbrough, Thorneburg, Thorneburg, Thurnberg, Thurnburgh, Thurnburg, and Thurnburgh.

Thornburg is derived from the Old English words 'thorn' and 'burg', meaning 'fortified settlement'. Thus, the names that derive from this surname indicate either a settlement near a thorn bush or a place surrounded by thorns, such as a castle.

An example of a surname that originates from the original Thornburg is Thornbrough. It is derived from the Old English word 'brough', which means 'fortified'. Therefore, this surname's origin also has to do with a fortified settlement surrounded by thorns.

Other surnames that have a similar origin to Thornburg include Thurnberg, Thurnburgh, and Thurnburg. Each of these originates from the Middle High German words 'thorn' and 'berg', which mean 'mountain'. Consequently, these surnames indicate a home on a hill surrounded by thorns.

Other surnames with a similar origin as Thornburg are Thorneburg and Thorneburg. This name derives from the Old German words 'thorn' and 'berg', meaning 'mountain'. Similarly, these names indicate a home on a hill or a mountain protected by thorns.

In conclusion, the surname Thornburg can have various spellings and variants, each of which has a slightly different origin story. While most of them have to do with a house on a hill or mountain surrounded by thorns, others indicate a fortification protected by thorns.

Famous people with the name Thornburg

• Jeff Thornburg: Actor, best known for his roles in the TV series One Tree Hill and Perception
• William Thornburg: Country singer-songwriter best known for the single “Crazy Love”
• Sharon Thornburg: Former anchor of the KDKA-TV morning news show based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• JoAnne Thornburg: Actress known for The Mindy Project and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
• Trey Thornburg: Professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA D-League
• John Thornburg: Professional poker player and winner of the WSOP Circuit Event in 2014
• Adam Thornburg: American TV director and former producer of Alias
• Jim Thornburg: Founder of Thornburg Mortgage, a publicly-traded residential mortgage lender
• Justin Thornburg: American saxophonist, composer and band leader, current member of The Bay Street Brass Company
• Kevin Thornburg: American voiceover artist and actor, notable roles include The Playwright in Assassin’s Creed II and The Professor in The Last of Us II

Other surnames

Thornburgh