Surname Thornquist - Meaning and Origin
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Thornquist: What does the surname Thornquist mean?
The surname Thornquist is of Scandinavian origin, predominantly used in Sweden, although it can also be found in Denmark and Norway. The name is composite and is divided into two parts: "Thorn" and "quist".
The first part, "Thorn", is an Old Norse term referring to the thorn tree or a thorny plant, and it is commonly used in place names across Scandinavia. The second part, "quist" (often seen in its original form as "kvist"), means 'twig' or 'branch' in both Danish and Swedish.
Therefore, Thornquist can be interpreted as 'thorny branch' or 'branch of the thorn tree'. This surname likely originated as a topographic name given to individuals who lived near distinctive thorny plants or trees, or as a habitational name for individuals living in areas named after thorn trees.
However, like many surnames, the exact origins of Thornquist and its original connotations might have been lost over time. Today its meaning can mostly be taken at face value, without any implied professions, personal characteristics, or locality.
Order DNA origin analysisThornquist: Where does the name Thornquist come from?
The last name Thornquist is a relatively uncommon name, but may be found throughout the world today. It originated in Europe, likely in Scandinavia, but there are more contemporary bearers of the surname living in the United States and Canada. In the US, most people with the last name Thornquist live in the mid-west, particularly Minnesota, followed by Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. There is also a two-decade old concentration in Oregon.
In addition to those in the US, researchers have recorded multiple bearers of the last name living in Scandinavian countries, including Denmark and Sweden. As of 2013, there were just over 5,700 people with the surname Thornquist reported living around the world, with just over 1,800 people located in the United States. There are likely even more people today still bearing the surname.
Variations of the surname Thornquist
Thornquist is a surname of Scandinavian origin. This surname is derived from the Old Norse words “Þorn”, meaning “thorn”, and “by”, meaning “town”, or “farm”. The name is thought to have derived from an early inhabitant of a dwelling place surrounded by thorns.
Variants of the Thornquist surname include Thonquist, Thornquist, Thornequest, Thornequist, Thornequiest and Thornqvist. Spellings may also vary: Thonquist, Thorneqvest, Thurnquist, Thurnquist, Tournquist and Thornquvist are all alternative spellings of the same surname.
Thornquist can also also be a variant of the surname Johansson, which is derived from two Old Norse words “Jó”, meaning “yew”, and “son”, meaning “son”. Johansson is thought to have been derived from a father’s patronymic name, and according to tradition, was given to children born to a father with the given name of Johann.
Other variant surnames derived from Johansson include Jonsson, Johansdotter, Jonsdotter, Jonsson, Johannesson, Johnson, Jonsdatter and Johnsdotter. These spellings may also be further modified with spelling variations such as Thornsdotter or Thornson, and may also be found as alternative spellings for Thornquist in some cases.
In summary, Thornquist is a Scandinavian surname derived from two Old Norse words. Variants of the same surname are Thonquist, Thornquist, Thornequest, Thornequist, Thornequiest, Thornqvist, Thonquist, Thorneqvest, Thurnquist, Thurnquist, Tournquist and Thornquvist. It may also be a variant of Johansson, with variants including Jonsson, Johansdotter, Jonsdotter, Johannesson and Johnson.
Famous people with the name Thornquist
- August Thornquist: Swedish domain name registrar and website developer
- Andrew Thornquist: American composer
- Craig Thornquist: American film director
- Derek Thornquist: American photographer
- Emma Thornquist: Swedish professional golfer
- Hanna Thornquist: Danish photographer
- Karen Thornquist: Norwegian educator
- Paulina Thornquist: Swedish artist
- Christina Thornquist: Swedish singer
- Ludwig Thornquist: Swedish architect
- John Thornquist: American business executive
- Angela Thornquist: Swedish handball player
- Axel Thornquist: Swedish entrepreneur
- David Thornquist: American cinematographer
- Richard Thornquist: American aviation historian