Surname Towns - Meaning and Origin
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Tales Within My Surname: A Twist of Viking & Celtic Origins Revealed by iGENEA DNA Test
Dipping my toes in the genealogical wonders of the iGENEA DNA test, I embarked on the journey to trace my roots. Little did I know, my surname 'Towns' held an unexpected Viking twist entwined with a touch of Celtic heritage. Observing the Scandinavian origins of my surname was a surprising plot twist in my exploration that enriched my understanding of my lineage.
L. Towns
read moreTowns: What does the surname Towns mean?
The last name "Towns" is of English origin and is categorized as a topographical surname. In traditional usage, this name was often given to a person who resided near a town or was the head, keeper, or owner of the town itself. The name 'Towns' derives from the old English word "tun," which translates to "enclosure," "settlement," or "homestead."
Another interpretation is that it could be originated from the Norse-Viking pre 7th century word 'toptun' meaning a man who lived at the top of the village. During the period of the creation of surnames in the 12th and 13th centuries, people were identified by their job, place of residence, or any unique physical features.
However, it's essential to note that surname meanings can vary based on regional linguistic variations, evolving language usage, and historical events and migrations. Therefore, while the general theme of location and settlement is consistent, the specific meaning can differ. This name is widespread in the United States, England, and other English-speaking countries. Overall, the surname 'Towns' is indicative of one's geographic origin or tenure.
Order DNA origin analysisTowns: Where does the name Towns come from?
The last name Towns is most common today in North America and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, according to the 2019 US Census population, the Towns surname is most commonly found in Georgia, Arkansas and Mississippi. The highest concentration of Towns in the U.S. is in Mississippi where it is the 9th most common surname. In the UK, Towns is the 5,476th most popular surname and is considerably less common than in the US.
In Canada, the last name is the 1,589th most common name according to MacKinnon (2018). Towns is most populous in Ontario and Quebec. In Ontario, the name is particularly prominent in the Greater Toronto Area, where it is the 671st most common name.
The last name Towns is also common among people of British Caribbean ancestry. However, the distribution of Towns among Caribbean countries varies. For example, the Jamaican telephone directory lists Towns as the 556th most common name. This implies that it is more commonly found in some Caribbean countries than in others.
Overall, the last name Towns is a quite common surname, particularly among English-speaking countries, but its distribution varies widely across countries and regions.
Variations of the surname Towns
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Towns are varied. Town, Towne, Touch, Townes, Townsley, Townend, Townson, Townesend, Townshend and Towner are some of the common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Town is a mostly English surname with the meaning of a settlement or a dwelling usually surrounded by or enclosed within protective walls, fences or a gate. It arrived in England, along with the original Norman invaders in 1066 after the Battle of Hastings, and is derived from the Old French word toun.
The variants of Town were many. Towne is a more modern variant, with an updated spelling which emerged in the Middle Ages. It has typically been associated with the eastern counties of England. Touch is an even more modern variant of the Town surname; a variant which appeared in Wales in the 14th century.
Townes, Townsley, Townend, Townson, Townesend, Townshend and Towner are all variants of the same surname and are more typically associated with Scotland, though they can be found in localities throughout the British Isles. Townsley and Townshend are also both locational surnames, deriving from 'the town in the woods' or 'at the town's end'.
Variants of other language origins occasionally emerged - such as Touche, which is a French variant, and De Toni, which is found in northern Italy.
In summary, the varied variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Towns are Town, Towne, Touch, Townes, Townsley, Townend, Townson, Townesend, Townshend, Towner, Touche and De Toni.
Famous people with the name Towns
- Klay Thompson: American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors.
- John Towns: American chemical engineering professor emeritus and department chair.
- Jeremy Towns: American professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Chicago Wolves.
- David Towns: Former American college football player in the NFL for the Denver Broncos.
- Cynthia Thornton Towns: American gospel vocalist and former lead singer of gospel group, The Gatlin Brothers.
- Byron Towns:- Former American college football player in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Desmond Towns: Former American college football player in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams
- Taj Towns: Former American college football player in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins.
- Christopher Towns: American professional basketball player for the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G League.
- Marlo Towns: Former American college football player for the University of Kentucky.