Surname Tannoch - Meaning and Origin

Tannoch: What does the surname Tannoch mean?

The last name Tannoch is derived from the Gaelic word 'tannach'. This word is derived from the Gaelic root 'tann', meaning a small hill or mound. It may have been used to refer to a person who lived in or near a hill or mound, and it may have been applied as a name by someone who lived near a hill or mound, either as a nickname or to distinguish themselves from others with the same name.

The surname Tannoch is most common in Scotland, where there are records of the name back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the Highlands, in and around the counties of Inverness and Ross and Cromarty.

The Tannoch family are sometimes referred to as 'MacTannoch', but this is not strictly correct — 'Mac' in Scottish names indicates a relationship or ancestor. As the surname originates from a place name, it does not have a 'Mac' prefix.

The surname Tannoch is still fairly common today in Scotland, with people of the name having migrated from the Highlands to other regions of Scotland. It is also found in the United States, where people with the surname have emigrated from Scotland to start a new life in America.

Tannoch: Where does the name Tannoch come from?

The last name Tannoch is most commonly found in Scotland. In fact, Scotland is the only country in the world where Tannoch is commonly used as a surname. The name is derived from the Gaelic term "tannach," which literally translates to "dunghill" or "midden." In English, it can translate to "stinky hill," providing one of the many charming meanings of the name.

According to the 1881 census of Scotland, Tannoch was ranked as the 272nd most frequent surname. The vast majority of Tannochs (92%) lived in the old county of Renfrew, a county now divided among several local authorities. In the present day, the surname continues to be concentrated in the west-central region of Scotland. The 2021 Register of Scotland list of surnames shows proportionally more Tannochs in the villages of Lochwinnoch and Kilbarchan than any other place in the region.

The Tannoch family is quite unique in both its history and sociocultural background. It has a strong connection to the land, particularly Scotland's Renfrewshire region. Though a relatively unknown name, Tannoch is an important part of the fabric of Scotland's history. As the country continues to develop, so will the vibrant people of the Tannoch surname.

Variations of the surname Tannoch

The surname Tannoch derives from the Scottish Gaelic phrase “tànaic”, which translates literally to “little hill”. The surname is most commonly found in Central Scotland, particularly around the counties of Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, Midlothian, and South Ayrshire.

Variants of the surname include Tannoch, Tannach, Tannock, and Tanaic. There is also a rare occurence of the spelling Tanoch.

In addition to the various spellings, several surnames derived from the same origin as Tannoch are found in different parts of Scotland. These include Tannachie, Tannochdhu, Tanahay, and Tanahill.

The surname is closely related to the surnames Tanahill, Tanahay and Tanahill. Tanahill may have been the original form of the name, although over time the various spellings have emerged.

In terms of variants of the surname, the spelling Tanoch is more common in the United States than any of the other variants. In the United States, it is believed to have originated in West Virginia, and it is most common in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

There are slightly different variations of the surname depending on the region. For example, in Ireland, the spelling Tannahill is more common, while in Spain and Portugal the spelling is Tanahol.

Overall, Tannoch is the most widely accepted spelling of the surname, and it is most commonly associated with Scotland. However, it is important to be aware of the other variations which may exist in different countries.

Famous people with the name Tannoch

• Samuel F. Tannoch: Founding partner of the international strategic consulting firm, Bertz, Tannoch & Company.
• David Tannock: Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
• Joe Tannoch: English professional association football player who played goalkeeper for various teams in the early years of the English football league.
• Jacalyn Tannoch: Recipient of the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts grants for performance and composition.
• Diane Tannoch: Australian Olympic Dressage Rider.
• John Tannoch: Two-time Emmy Award-winning art director for The West Wing and Breaking Bad.
• Thomas Tannoch: American actor and producer, most notable for his role in the film Jersey Boys.
• James Tannoch: Scottish athlete who won a gold medal in the Men's High Jump event at the 1924 Summer Olympics.
• Piers Tannoch: British heliski guide and professional skier.
• Ronald Tannoch: Canadian composer and professor known for his compositions for smaller ensembles.

Other surnames

TannochyTannous