Thomson (surname)
Encyclopedia
Thomson is an English
and Scottish
patronymic
surname
meaning "son of Thom, Thomp, Thompkin, or other diminutive
of Thomas
", itself dervied from the Aramaic תום or Tôm, meaning "twin". The Welsh surname is documented in Cheshire
records before and after the 1066 Norman Conquest. Variations include Thomason, Thomasson, Thomerson, Thomoson, and others. The French
surname Thomson is first documented in Bourgogne
and is the shortened form for Thom[as]son, Thom[es]son. Variations include Thomassin, Thomason, Thomesson, Thomeson, and others. Thomson is uncommon as a given name
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
patronymic
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
meaning "son of Thom, Thomp, Thompkin, or other diminutive
Diminutive
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form , is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment...
of Thomas
Thomas (surname)
Thomas is a common surname used in British , French, German, Dutch, Danish, and southern India .It derives from the medieval personal name, of Biblical origin, from Aramaic t'om'a, a byname meaning 'twin'. It was borne by one of the disciples of Christ, best known for his scepticism about Christ's...
", itself dervied from the Aramaic תום or Tôm, meaning "twin". The Welsh surname is documented in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
records before and after the 1066 Norman Conquest. Variations include Thomason, Thomasson, Thomerson, Thomoson, and others. The French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
surname Thomson is first documented in Bourgogne
Bourgogne
Burgundy is one of the 27 regions of France.The name comes from the Burgundians, an ancient Germanic people who settled in the area in early Middle-age. The region of Burgundy is both larger than the old Duchy of Burgundy and smaller than the area ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy, from the modern...
and is the shortened form for Thom[as]son, Thom[es]son. Variations include Thomassin, Thomason, Thomesson, Thomeson, and others. Thomson is uncommon as a given name
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
.
List of persons with the surname
- Adam Thomson (disambiguation)
- Alexander ThomsonAlexander ThomsonAlexander "Greek" Thomson was an eminent Scottish architect and architectural theorist who was a pioneer in sustainable building. Although his work was published in the architectural press of his day, it was little appreciated outwith Glasgow during his lifetime...
(1817–1875), Scottish architect - Andrew Thomson (disambiguation)
- Beverly ThomsonBeverly ThomsonBeverly Thomson is a Canadian journalist and co-host of Canada AM, CTV's national morning show. In 2006, she received the Gemini Humanitarian Award....
(born 1966), Canadian journalist - Bob ThomsonBob ThomsonRobert 'Bob' Thomson was an English footballer who played during the early 20th century, mainly prior to World War I.Playing as a forward, Thomson carved out a career in the game despite having only one eye, resulting from a childhood accident with a firework...
, English footballer - Charles ThomsonCharles ThomsonCharles Thomson was a Patriot leader in Philadelphia during the American Revolution and the secretary of the Continental Congress throughout its existence.-Biography:...
, secretary of the Continental Congress - Charles Poulett Thomson, 1st Baron SydenhamCharles Poulett Thomson, 1st Baron SydenhamCharles Poulett Thomson, 1st Baron Sydenham PC was a British politician and the first Governor of the united Province of Canada.-Background:...
(1799–1841), the first Governor of the united Province of Canada - Charles Wyville ThomsonCharles Wyville ThomsonSir Charles Wyville Thomson was a Scottish zoologist and chief scientist on the Challenger expedition.-Career:...
(1830–1882), professor of zoology and chief scientist on the Challenger expedition - Charles Thomson (artist)Charles Thomson (artist)Charles Thomson is an English artist, painter, poet and photographer. In the early 1980s he was a member of The Medway Poets. In 1999 he named and co-founded the Stuckists art movement with Billy Childish. He has curated Stuckist shows, organised demonstrations against the Turner Prize, run an art...
(born 1953), British artist, painter and poet - Craig Thomson (politician), Australian politician
- Craig Thomson (footballer)Craig Thomson (footballer)Craig Thomson is a Scottish footballer who plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League club Hearts. He has also played at left back and on the right wing. Thomson was loaned to Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas after he was convicted of indecent behaviour...
, Scottish footballer - Craig Thomson (referee)Craig Thomson (referee)Craig Alexander Thomson is a Scottish football referee, who has been a match official since 1988. He originates from Paisley, Renfrewshire.-Career:...
, Scottish football referee - Cyndi ThomsonCyndi ThomsonCyndi Thomson is an American country music artist. Thomson wrote songs with songwriter Tommy Lee James and in 2000, she signed with Capitol Records Nashville as a recording artist...
, an American country music singer from the early 2000s - David Thomson (disambiguation)
- Des ThomsonDes ThomsonDesmond "Des" Ronald Thomson is a former racing cyclist from New Zealand.He won the silver medal in the men's road race at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games....
(born 1942), New Zealand cyclist - Donald ThomsonDonald ThomsonDonald Fergusson Thomson, OBE was an Australian anthropologist and ornithologist who was largely responsible for turning the Caledon Bay crisis into a "decisive moment in the history of Aboriginal-European relations." He is remembered as a friend of the Yolngu people, and as a champion of...
(1901–1970), Australian anthropologist and ornithologist - Edward ThomsonEdward ThomsonEdward Thomson was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church , elected in 1864.-Early life:Thomson was born in Portsea, part of Portsmouth, England...
, a Bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church - Edward Thomson (disambiguation)Edward Thomson (disambiguation)Edward Thomson may refer to:*Edward Thomson , American bishop*Edward Deas Thomson , Australian administrator and politician*Edward William Thomson , Canadian farmer and politician...
- Elihu ThomsonElihu ThomsonElihu Thomson was an American engineer and inventor who was instrumental in the founding of major electrical companies in the United States, the United Kingdom and France.-Early life:...
(1853–1937), English engineer, founder of what became the French firm Thomson SA - Fergus ThomsonFergus ThomsonFergus Matthew Andrew Thomson is a Scottish rugby union hooker who plays for Glasgow Warriors. He was a member of the Scotland squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France....
, a Scottish rugby union player who plays hooker for Glasgow WarriorsGlasgow WarriorsThe Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
and ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... - Frederick Clifton Thomson, (1890–1928), American silent film cowboy actor
- George Thomson (musician) (1757–1821), Scottish music collector and a friend of Robert Burns
- George Paget ThomsonGeorge Paget ThomsonSir George Paget Thomson, FRS was an English physicist and Nobel laureate in physics recognised for his discovery with Clinton Davisson of the wave properties of the electron by electron diffraction.-Biography:...
(1892–1975), English physicist who worked on the wave nature of the electron - Ian Thomson (disambiguation) (various)
- J. J. ThomsonJ. J. ThomsonSir Joseph John "J. J." Thomson, OM, FRS was a British physicist and Nobel laureate. He is credited for the discovery of the electron and of isotopes, and the invention of the mass spectrometer...
(Sir Joseph John Thomson, 1856–1940), English physicist who discovered the electron - J. M. Archer ThomsonJ. M. Archer ThomsonJames Merriman Archer Thomson was a British rock-climber and mountaineer.Thomson climbed extensively in North Wales with others such as Oscar Eckenstein. He was a believer in leading on sight, and was not keen on O. G. Jones's practice of surveying a route with a top-rope. He extensively explored...
(1863–1913), British rock-climber and mountaineer - James Thomson (disambiguation), several people
- James Thomson (poet) (1700–1748), poet of the eighteenth century, author of The Seasons
- James Thomson (B.V.)James Thomson (B.V.)James Thomson , who wrote under the pseudonym Bysshe Vanolis, was a Scottish Victorian-era poet famous primarily for the long poem The City of Dreadful Night , an expression of bleak pessimism in a dehumanized, uncaring urban environment.-Life:Thomson was born in Port Glasgow, Scotland, and, after...
(1834–1882), poet of the nineteenth century, author of The City of Dreadful Night - James Thomson (cell biologist)James Thomson (cell biologist)James Alexander Thomson is an American developmental biologist best known for deriving the first human embryonic stem cell line in 1998 and for deriving human induced pluripotent stem cells in 2007.-Thomson's research:...
, stem cell researcher - James Thomson (engineer)James Thomson (engineer)right|300px|James Thomson was an engineer and physicist whose reputation is substantial though it is overshadowed by that of his younger brother William Thomson .-Biography:Born in Belfast, he grew up mostly in Glasgow...
, brother of William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin - James Thomson (Pittsburgh mayor)James Thomson (Pittsburgh mayor)James Thomson , served as Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1841 to 1842.-Early life:Thomson was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1790 and arrived in Pittsburgh in 1812. From 1812 to 1825, he operated a jewelry store, making and repairing watches on Market Street. In 1825, he began an engine...
, 19th century political figure
- Jeff ThomsonJeff ThomsonJeffrey Robert Thomson is a former Australian cricketer. Known as "Thommo", he was one of the fastest bowlers ever to play Test cricket and was the opening partner of fellow fast bowler Dennis Lillee; their combination was one of the most fearsome in Test cricket history...
(born 1950), Australian cricketer - John Thomson (disambiguation), several people
- John Edgar ThomsonJohn Edgar ThomsonJohn Edgar Thomson was an American civil engineer and industrialist. Thomson was an entrepreneur best known for his leadership of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1852 until his death 1874, making it the largest business enterprise in the world and a world-class model for technological and...
(1808–1874), American civil engineer, railroad executive and industrialist - John Thomson (comedian) (born 1969), a British actor and impressionist
- John Thomson (pitcher)John Thomson (pitcher)John Carl Thomson is a retired starting pitcher who last played for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. He is a 1991 graduate of Sulphur High School in Sulphur, Louisiana...
(born 1973), American baseball player - John Thomson (footballer)John Thomson (footballer)John Thomson was a football goalkeeper for Celtic and Scotland who died as a result of an accidental collision with the Rangers player Sam English during an Old Firm match at Ibrox.-Early life:...
(1909–1931), former Celtic F.C. footballer - John Thomson (Ohio politician) (1780–1852), US Congressman from Ohio
- John Thomson (photographer)John Thomson (photographer)John Thomson was a pioneering Scottish photographer, geographer and traveller. He was one of the first photographers to travel to the Far East, documenting the people, landscapes and artifacts of eastern cultures...
, a nineteenth century Scottish photographer - John Thomson (RAF)John Thomson (RAF)Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles John Thomson GCB, CBE, AFC usually Sir John Thomson was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force.-RAF service:...
, one of the senior officers of the Royal Air Force - Rev. John Thomson (minister), minister in Sutherland, Scotland, who was responsible for recording the works of the poet Rob DonnRob DonnRob Donn was a Scottish Gaelic poet from Sutherland. It is generally assumed that his surname was MacKay , but this has been disputed, so he is sometimes referred to as "Rob Donn MacAoidh".-Biography:...
- John Renshaw ThomsonJohn Renshaw ThomsonJohn Renshaw Thomson was an American merchant and politician from New Jersey.-Life:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he attended the common schools in Princeton, New Jersey, and the College of New Jersey . In 1817, he went to China and became a merchant in Canton where he was United States...
(1800–1862), US Senator from New Jersey
- John Edgar Thomson
- Judith Jarvis ThomsonJudith Jarvis ThomsonJudith Jarvis Thomson is an American moral philosopher and metaphysician, best known for her use of thought experiments to make philosophical points.- Career :...
, moral philosopher - Kelvin ThomsonKelvin ThomsonKelvin John Thomson is an Australian politician. Since March 1996 Thomson has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of Wills in Victoria.-Early life:...
, Australian politician - Kevin ThomsonKevin ThomsonKevin Thomson is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Middlesbrough and the Scotland national football team. Thomson began his career with Hibernian before joining Rangers in 2007 for a £2m transfer fee. He plays as a defensive midfielder with key attributes of passing and tackling...
, Scottish footballer (Hibernian, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Scotland) - Kenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of FleetKenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of FleetKenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of Fleet , in Canada known as Ken Thomson, was a Canadian businessman and art collector who, at the time of his death, was the richest person in Canada, and the ninth richest person in the world, according to Forbes.com, with assets of approximately US $17.9...
(1923–2006) - Lawrie ThomsonLawrie ThomsonLawrie Thomson is a Scottish former footballer, who played for Partick Thistle, Carlisle United, St. Johnstone and Alloa.- External links :*, Neil Brown...
, Scottish footballer (Partick Thistle, Carlisle, St. Johnstone, Alloa) - Lodewijk ThomsonLodewijk ThomsonLodewijk Willem Johan Karel Thomson was a Dutch military commander and politician. He served as a member of the Dutch parliament between 1905 and 1913. In 1914 he became the commander of a newly created International Gendarmerie force in the Principality of Albania...
(1869–1914), Dutch soldier and politician - Matthew ThomsonMatthew ThomsonMatthew Thomson is a 50 m Rifle shooter who won two gold medals at the 2006 ISSF World Shooting Championships. He won gold for the Junior Men's Prone competition with a score of 593 and also led the British Junior Men's team to its first gold in 24 years.-Sporting History:Thomson has been involved...
, smallbore rifle champion - Meldrim Thomson, Jr.Meldrim Thomson, Jr.Meldrim Thomson, Jr. was a Republican who served three terms as Governor of the U.S. state of New Hampshire from 1973 to 1979, during which time he became known as a strong supporter of conservative political values....
, former New Hampshire governor - Michael Thomson (judge), Manitoba judge
- Peter Thomson (golfer)
- Reginald H. ThomsonReginald H. ThomsonReginald Heber Thomson was a self-taught American civil engineer. He worked in Washington state, mainly in Seattle, where he became city engineer in 1892 and held the position for two decades. Alan J...
(1856–1949), Seattle civil engineer - Riley ThomsonRiley ThomsonRiley A. Thomson, Jr. was an American animator and comics artist who spent most of his career working with Walt Disney films and characters. He directed six Disney short films including The Nifty Nineties and Symphony Hour.-Career:Thomson began his career in 1935 at Leon Schlesinger Productions ...
(1912-1960), American animator and comics artist - Robert Thomson (inventor) (1822–1873), Scottish inventor
- Robert James ThomsonRobert James ThomsonRobert James Thomson is an Australian journalist and the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal. He is former editor of The Times newspaper in London, England. On 20 May 2008 News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch named Thomson as the paper's new managing editor, succeeding Marcus Brauchli...
, Australian journalist - Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of FleetRoy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of FleetRoy Herbert Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet GBE was a Canadian newspaper proprietor and media entrepreneur.-Career:...
(1894–1976), Canadian newspaper and media entrepreneur, linked to The Thomson Corporation - Rosemary ThomsonRosemary ThomsonRosemary Thomson is a Canadian conductor and chorus master. As of 2011, she is the Music Director of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, chorus master of the Calgary Philharmonic, and Assistant Conductor for the Canadian Opera Company...
, Canadian conductor - Roy Hendry ThomsonRoy Hendry ThomsonRoy Hendry Thomson KStJ, DL, MA, MLitt was a businessman, public servant and political activist, based in Aberdeen.-Early and personal life:...
, an eminent Aberdonian - Tom ThomsonTom ThomsonThomas John Thomson , also known as Tom Thomson, was an influential Canadian artist of the early 20th century. He directly influenced a group of Canadian painters that would come to be known as the Group of Seven, and though he died before they formally formed, he is sometimes incorrectly credited...
(1877–1917), Canadian artist - Vernon Wallace ThomsonVernon Wallace ThomsonVernon Wallace Thomson was the 34th Governor of Wisconsin from 1957 to 1959. Vernon Thomson was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin. He attended what is now Carroll University, in 1925, but graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, in 1927, where he was a member of the Chi Phi...
(1905–1988), American politician - Virgil ThomsonVirgil ThomsonVirgil Thomson was an American composer and critic. He was instrumental in the development of the "American Sound" in classical music...
(1896–1989), American composer - William Thomson (disambiguation)William Thomson (disambiguation)William Thomson may refer to:* William Thomson , American militia captain* William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin , UK physicist now usually known as Lord Kelvin...
, several people- William Thomson (archbishop)William Thomson (archbishop)William Thomson was an English church leader, Archbishop of York from 1862 until his death.He was born at Whitehaven, Cumberland, and educated at Shrewsbury School and at The Queen's College, Oxford, of which he became a scholar. He took his B.A. degree in 1840, and was soon afterwards made fellow...
(1819–1890), former Archbishop of York - William Thomson, 1st Baron KelvinWilliam Thomson, 1st Baron KelvinWilliam Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin OM, GCVO, PC, PRS, PRSE, was a mathematical physicist and engineer. At the University of Glasgow he did important work in the mathematical analysis of electricity and formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and did much to unify the emerging...
(1824–1907), Irish physicist - Sir William Thomson (Solicitor General), Solicitor General for England and Wales 1717-1720
- William Thomson (musicologist)William Thomson (musicologist)William Thomson was a Scottish folk song collector and singer.He is said to have been the son of Daniel Thomson, one of the king's trumpeters for Scotland. As a boy singer, he sang at a concert - The Feast of St. Cecillia - in 1695. Before 1722, he had settled in London, and according to Charles...
, Scottish folk song collector
- William Thomson (archbishop)
In fiction
- ThomsonThomson and ThompsonThomson and Thompson are fictional characters in The Adventures of Tintin, the series of classic Belgian comic books written and illustrated by Hergé. Thomson and Thompson are detectives of Scotland Yard, and are as incompetent as they are necessary comic relief...
, one of two identical detectives in the Adventures of Tintin series by HergéHergéGeorges Prosper Remi , better known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian comics writer and artist. His best known and most substantial work is the 23 completed comic books in The Adventures of Tintin series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, although he was also...
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