Surname Thornhill - Meaning and Origin
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W. Thornhill
read moreThornhill: What does the surname Thornhill mean?
The surname Thornhill is of English origin and is derived from a geographical locality. It typically refers to someone who originally lived near or on a hill covered with thorns. It is composed of two Old English elements: 'þorn', meaning "thorn bush", and 'hyll', meaning "hill". The name is said to have originated from a place called Thornhill in the county of Yorkshire in England. It can also be traced to Thornhill in Stirling, Scotland. Thus, like many surnames originated in the British Isles, Thornhill is topographic, referring to a distinct geographical feature of the landscape. It is a common type of surname in the English language and provides a means of identifying individuals who moved from their birthplace and settled elsewhere.
Order DNA origin analysisThornhill: Where does the name Thornhill come from?
The last name Thornhill is a relatively common surname found across the British Isles, having been established in Scotland and England during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Today, it is found throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the UK, a large concentration of people with the surname Thornhill can be found in England, particularly in Yorkshire. It is also represented in several counties in Scotland, such as Lanarkshire, Midlothian, and Orkney. Elsewhere in the British Isles, the name has spread to Wales and Northern Ireland.
In North America, Thornhills are found throughout the United States, though predominantly in the midwest, east coast, and southern states. Significant concentrations are found in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. It is also represented in Canada, most notably in Ontario and Quebec.
In the Antipodes, the surname is particularly widespread in Australia, with a concentration in New South Wales. Despite its relative antiquity in the British Isles, the name is not particularly common in New Zealand.
Despite its widespread occurrence, there is no single origin for the surname Thornhill nor is there any consensus regarding its meaning. The common uses to refer to a location, homeland, regional attribute, or occupation.
Variations of the surname Thornhill
The surname Thornhill has several variants in spelling and for different surnames of the same origin. These include Tharnehill, Thornhull, Thornall, Thurnhill, Thurnall, Turnhill, Throanall, Thronhull, Thrunhall and Tranhill.
The original form of the surname is believed to be from a place name near Manchester, England, and suggests that a person or family might have originated there. Over time, the spelling of the name changed somewhat, most likely due to variants in local dialects or regional accents.
The suffix -hill is derived from an Old English word for "hill" or "mound," while the first part of the surname, tharne or thorn, has various meanings. It has been suggested that it refers to a briar bush, either as a geographical feature of the landscape or as a horticultural reference. In addition, it could be a personal name derived from Old English meaning "thorny hill."
In other cases, the surname Thornhill may refer to someone who lived near or near hills, or someone who lived on a hill or a hillock. A variation of the name could also refer to a place where the thorns or briers grew.
The spelling variations of the surname reflect its geographical roots and often still denote those origins today. Many of the variants are still seen in various countries, including the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Famous people with the name Thornhill
- Rayna Thornhill: award-winning American actress featured in many famous films such as “Big Fish” and “Silver Linings Playbook”
- Nigel Thornhill: Founding Father of the United Kingdom, instrumental in its unification
- Angus Thornhill: Canadian professional hockey player and Stanley Cup winner
- Kim Thornhill: award-winning British artist, notably known for her stained-glass artwork
- Walter Thornhill: pioneering aeronautical engineer, credited for the invention of the jet engine
- Dallas Thornhill: award-winning American rock musician, songwriter, and television/film composer
- Bill Thornhill: English former football player, manager, and chairman of Accrington Stanley FC
- Hugh Thornhill: retired English cricketer and current director of Lancashire County Cricket Club
- Kelly Thornhill: Australian journalist and producer, best known for her work with SBS
- Emma Thornhill: British fashion designer and philanthropist