Surname Towlinson - Meaning and Origin
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Towlinson: What does the surname Towlinson mean?
The surname Towlinson does not have a standard and widely-accepted meaning, as it doesn't appear to be common and has unknown origins. It could possibly be a variant of the English surname Tomlinson, which is of patronymic origin, deriving from the first name Tomlin, a medieval diminutive of Thomas. The "son" ending signifies "son of Tomlin." The name Thomas itself is of biblical origin, derived from the Aramaic byname Te'oma, meaning "twin." Thus, hypothetically, Towlinson could mean "son of Towlin" with Towlin being a first name. However, as of now, no significant records connect the name Towlin with any historical or cultural meanings. Therefore, the appropriate conclusion is that Towlinson's etymology remains uncertain until researched more extensively. Names can often mutate, evolve and adapt over centuries, influenced by migration, regional dialects, literacy levels and cultural integration, which could explain the obscurity and complexity of Towlinson’s origin.
Order DNA origin analysisTowlinson: Where does the name Towlinson come from?
The last name Towlinson is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. This surname is associated with England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It is a patronymic name that originates from England, and it is derived from the name of the clan's progenitor. It means 'son of Toule or Toul' derived from Old Norse "Tóki". It is an occupational name derived from 'towlen' which means cutting cloth, thus the surname likely originated from a person who worked in the cloth trade.
Towlinson is the 589th most common surname in the United Kingdom, with estimates of 18,950 bearers of this surname in Great Britain at the present time. It is most commonly found in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. It is also present in other parts of Europe, including Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. In the United States, this surname is most common in Wisconsin, with further presence in Mississippi, California, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
Historically, the Towlinsons were a family of yeoman farmers in the Derbyshire region of England. The family moved to Manchester, where they prospered as merchants and bankers and expanded to other parts of the United Kingdom. Todays, the Towlinson name is often associated with Manchester and its surrounding areas, along with other parts of the UK.
Variations of the surname Towlinson
Towlinson is an uncommon Anglo-Saxon surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English pre 7th century personal name ‘Tuhwald’, composed of the elements ‘Tuh’ (people, tribe) and ’walda’ (power, rule).
Variants, spellings, and cognates of Towlinson include Towele, Towal, Towall, Towell, Towellson, Toul, Toulson and Towleson. Other related names stemming from the same root include Tuhal, Tuhale, Tual, Tweedale, Tweedall, Tualde, Tuhald, Tiwald and Tuwald.
The earliest record of the name dates back to the 12th century, when Albert Tuhald held estates in Huntingdonshire. Ann Tuhall, born in 1790, married John Crawford in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, and their descendants later took the name Towlinson.
The surname is found mainly in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. An early bearer was James Towlinson, who came to Barbados from Cheshire in 1664. As English emigration overseas increased towards the end of the 19th century, many Towlinsons left their home country for new opportunities in Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
In modern day, the surname can be found in many places around the world, as descendants of this old Anglo-Saxon name have travelled widely. The name is not particularly common, but is still used in many countries today.
Famous people with the name Towlinson
- Louis Tomlinson: Singer and songwriter best known as a member of the band One Direction.
- Harry Tomlinson: British painter and sculptor.
- Jessie Tomlinson: American television presenter, producer, and journalist.
- Stephen Tomlinson: English former professional footballer.
- Tate Tomlinson: Former professional rugby league player.
- Adam Tomlinson: Australian rules footballer.
- Kit Tomlinson: British-born American writer.
- Parker Tomlinson: British entrepreneur and former millionaire.
- Thomas Tomlinson (‘Tommy’): English footballer.
- Mark Tomlinson: British equestrian showjumper.