Surname Thighgate - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Thighgate: What does the surname Thighgate mean?
The origins of the last name Thighgate are not clearly known, but its roots can be traced back to 16th century England. The name is believed to derive from an old Anglo-Saxon term ‘Thywege’ which was a term used to describe a tollgate or turnpike. The tollgate allowed those using the road to pay a fee to pass, or 'gate,' and 'Thywege' was also used to describe the act of clearing tracks through heavy forests or thickets in order to make the way easier. Over time, the name evolved into Thighgate and became a surname.
The surname could have been given to an ancestor of the bearer who was a toll-keeper or keeper of the gate, someone who was involved in the road and track clearing work or perhaps someone who lived near a ‘thywege.’ Although the family name Thighgate doesn't have much of a presence in the historical record, it is still used today as a surname by some families in the United Kingdom.
Due to the absence of information regarding the exact origins and meanings of the surname, its derivation and connotations are largely unknown. Still, the name Thighgate remains as an intriguing bit of English history which has been passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisThighgate: Where does the name Thighgate come from?
The last name Thighgate is not a particularly common name today. The last name is believed to have originated in England in the 13th century, but its exact origins are unknown. It appears to have been a place name, derived from the Middle English tyh, meaning thigh. The name was found mainly in the Midlands and East Anglia following its inception and is most common in those areas today. Folklore surrounding the origin of the name includes a legend of a manrowing a boat across a river that attempted to cross the river via a dangerous shortcut. When his boat struck a rock halfway across, his thighbone was broken, and the surname Thighgate was born.
In the modern day, there are still a few folks who carry this unique surname. The majority live in the United Kingdom, and among these a handful are located within the original region of East Anglia. A handful of Thighgates are also scattered across North America, particularly the United States.
The Thighgate surname is rather unusual, and it's unlikely to be heard as often as more often-encountered names. Yet it's still possible to find individuals with this surname in the modern day, with many of them tracing their heritage to the humble origins of East Anglia.
Variations of the surname Thighgate
The Thighgate surname originates from the English language and has several variants, spellings and surnames. Some of them are as follows:
Thygate: The most common variant of the surname, this spelling is usually found in English records originating from the 1500s.
Theygate: This is a lesser-known variant, originating from the 1600s.
Thygat: This spelling is a phonetic variation of the earlier variants.
Tighgate: This variant first appeared in the 18th century and was used interchangeably with Thygate.
Tighegate: This variant is found in rare English records from the mid 19th century.
Theighgate: A variant of the spelling believed to have been used in England during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Thyggate: An archaic spelling of the surname which originated in the 1700s.
Thyggatt: This version is found mostly in English documents from the 19th century.
Thighgate Surnames:
Thyegeatt: A variation of the spelling used in records from the 1800s.
Thygott: This variant is found in English documents from the 1900s.
Thygut: A variant used mostly in records from the United Kingdom.
Thygatte: This rare spelling was seen in records from England.
Thygate: Found in rare documents from England.
Theighgate: An early spelling of the surname.
Tyegeat: A rare spelling first seen in the 1600s and found in rare documents from England.
It is important to note that many of the various surnames of Thighgate origin are now thought to be extinct.
Famous people with the name Thighgate
- Wes Thighgate: a famous American powerlifter and strongman competitor.
- John Thighgate: an English actor known for his roles in the movie, My Summer Vacation, and the TV show, Sunnydale's Finest.
- Jerry Thighgate: basketball player, played for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Jessica Thighgate: a British film actress, best known for her roles in Letting It All Out and Something About Mary.
- William Thighgate: a renowned 19th-century British journalist, historian, and poet.
- Abraham Thighgate: a renowned American composer and musician, best known for his works such as "The Battle of Midway" and "The Great March".
- Richard Thighgate: a prominent American painter, best known for his landscapes, seascapes, and abstract portraits.
- Jackie Thighgate: an American pop singer and songwriter, best known for her single, "Can't Stop The Music".
- Rebecca Thighgate: an English singer and songwriter, best known for her hits, "Lovely Day" and "Can't Help Lovin' That Man".
- Bill Thighgate: an American stand-up comedian and actor, best known for his roles in The King of Queens and Cheers.