Surname Toynbe - Meaning and Origin

Toynbe: What does the surname Toynbe mean?

The surname Toynbe is most likely an occupational surname, meaning it was associated with a person's job or status. It is derived from Middle English 'to(i)gnebi' which means a tenant farmer - someone who rent land from a landlord to cultivate crops or raise animals.

In some cases, Toynbe may have been a variation of the similar surnames Toeingebi or Teingebo which both have the same meaning. It is possible that the surname was used to distinguish families from the same region with the same surname.

Over time, Toynbe may have been passed down from generations and gained in popularity as a family name. In the past, it was rare to have a surname but by the 18th and 19th centuries, it was starting to become more common.

Toynbe as a surname is now mostly found in Britain, where it is among the top 500 surnames. People with this surname today may have been inspired by the original tenant farmers or may have adopted the name through marriage or adoption.

By tracing the history of the surname, it is possible to discover more about its meaning and origin. As a result, those who have the Toynbe surname can gain a greater understanding of their roots and ancestral legacy.

Toynbe: Where does the name Toynbe come from?

The last name Toynbe is common in the present day mostly in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. In the UK, Toynbe is the 265st most common surname, with concentrations in the Greater London Area, as well as the city of Birmingham.

In the United States, Toynbe is the 3,266th most common surname. According to the 2000 US Census, there were 239 Toynbe families living in the US. The highest concentrations of individuals bearing the name Toynbe are found in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, and the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions of the US.

Toynbe is also a common surname in the Irish Republic, Australia, and Canada. In the former, it is the 2,918th most common surname, and in the latter, the 1,290th. In Australia and New Zealand, Toynbe is most commonly found amongst those with Irish heritage.

Variations of the surname exist in many countries, such as Toon in England, Toone in Scotland, Toonie in Wales, Toonbird in South Africa, and Toyne in the US. Over the centuries, the spelling of Toynbe has evolved and changed depending on where in the world the surname is found.

Variations of the surname Toynbe

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Toynbe are Toynebe, Toynebie,Toynbee, Toynbie, Tounbee, Tounbie and Townbee.

Toynbee is an English patronymic surname derived from the given name “Toni” or “Tony” that is derived from the Latin “Antonius”. It is sometimes derived from the personal name of the same root, “Tovin”, which is of Gaelic origin. Those surnames are commonly found among families from southern Britain, especially in areas that were once part of the Saxon territories.

The Toynbees are descended from a family based in the Cotswolds area of England. They were recorded as having held lands in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire as early as the 12th century and were apparently a powerful and prominent family during the Middle Ages.

The surname Toynbee is derived from a place name. The name evolved over centuries from Tonebigh, Tonebi, Toonebi, Tonbi, Tounbee, Tounbie and ultimately Toynbee. The name is associated with many locations such as Toynbee Hall in Whitechapel London, founded by social reformer Samuel and Henrietta Barnett.

The most common spellings of the name Toynbee are Toynebee and Toynbee with Toynebie and Toynbie being less commonly found variants.

The surname Toynebe is still in use today and is also found in many of the traditional former British colonies and in other areas with settlers with British heritage. The surname is quite common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand among other countries.

Famous people with the name Toynbe

• Arnold J. Toynbee: A 20th-century British historian, philosopher of history, and author of numerous books.
• Gilbert Toynbee: A British artist and landscape painter who resided in Rome during the 19th century and was known for his romantic, dream-like portrayals of Italy’s landscapes and people.
• Janice Toynbee: An English actor, director, and writer of theatre and television.
• Michael Toynbee: A British physician and professor of general practice, known as a major figure in the reform of primary health care in the UK.
• Noel Toynbee: A British dramatist, producer, and set designer, active from the 1930s to the 1970s.
• Rachel Toynbee: An English archaeologist, specialising in Roman archaeology, and known for her research on villas and country houses and their economic basis.
• Samuel Toynbee: A British essayist and civil servant, whose works include the introduction of Arabic studies into the Anglo-Saxon world through his book, A History of the Arabs.
• Verney Lovett Cameron: A British explorer and the first European to cross Africa from sea to sea, in a journey he documented with his wife and cousin, Mary Toynbee.
• William Toynbee: A British writer and biographer known for his work and research on industrial history.
• Henry Toynbee: An English critic, essayist, author, historian and philosopher, who also wrote extensively about music and literature.

Other surnames

ToynbeeToynbieToynbyToynbye