Surname Thilkinton - Meaning and Origin

Thilkinton: What does the surname Thilkinton mean?

The last name Thilkinton is an English surname with origins in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name is derived from a combination of two Old English words, thilce, meaning a small amount or portion, and tun, meaning an enclosed settlement or village.

The Thilkinton name could refer to someone who was either from a small village, indicating a small population, or someone who owned a small amount of land. It may also be derived from someone who held a specific position of authority within such a settlement. Historically, the surname was found in the North East of England, primarily within the counties of Durham and Northumberland.

Today, the surname Thilkinton is predominantly found in the United Kingdom, although it is not uncommon in the United States. It is estimated that there are fewer than 500 people with the Thilkinton surname worldwide. The name is typically spelled variously as Thilkinton, Thilkiton and Thillkinton.

The Thilkinton name is steeped in history and is a reminder of the Anglo-Saxon culture which gave rise to many of the English surnames we know today. It is a reminder of a once small and simple life dominated by the village community and is today a point of reference and identity for those who proudly bear its name.

Thilkinton: Where does the name Thilkinton come from?

The last name Thilkinton is not overly common today, however it is not overly uncommon. While it does not make the top 1000 most common surnames list in the United States, it can be found in parts of England, Wales, and Canada, as well as other Commonwealth countries.

Of those places where the name can be found, it appears that the most frequent locations are in the south-east of England, Wales, the West Midlands, and parts of Scotland. The last name is usually spelled Thilkinton or Thinklinton, although spellings may vary. The name is not generally associated with a specific region and appears to be more widely dispersed.

The earliest recorded instance of the name appears to be in the records of Herefordshire in the Waxlele parish about the year 1220. Other possible early occurrences have been found in documents held at The National Archive in the Rolls and Pleadings of county court prosecutions in the 17th century, which mention various people of the Thilkinton surname.

The name may have originally derived from a combination of a personal name and the place names of 'Thalkin' and 'Ton' which are found in various locations around the UK. It is also possible that the surname originated as a variation of the German name 'Tillington', although due to the dispersed nature of the name today these theories remain largely speculative.

Variations of the surname Thilkinton

The spelling and variants of the surname Thilkinton are Thilkington, Thelkinton, and Tilkington. These variations of the name can often be traced back to similar ancestors.

The Thilkinton family is believed to have originated in England, though the exact origin or meaning is unknown. Some researchers have suggested that the name is derived from the Old English word "thilc," meaning "a thorny hedge," plus "ing," a suffix often used to denote belonging to a place; so possibly 'of the thorny hedge.'

The Thilkintons were mainly found in the areas around Northern England, especially Yorkshire and Durham. In Scotland some members of the family can be found in the parish of Elie in Fife.

Other variants of the Thilkinton surname which can be found are Tilkinton, Thilkent, Thilker, Thelker, and Theelker. The spelling of the surname is subject to much change, as old registers and even more recent records can often show slight variations in the name. These details may have arisen due to incorrect spelling by earlier generations, or even through the poor legibility of handwriting which was so prevalent in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Thilkinton surname has many connections with other surnames, due to its many variations and similar spellings that occur in other branches of this family tree. These names include Thilking, Tilkenton, Thelkenton, Thelkenton, Thalkenton, Talkent, Talkerenton, Telkinton, Thelking, Tailking, Talkerent, and Taltonton.

It’s likely that all these names share an original root, and it is possible that a surname may have evolved in different places and directions, leading to different spellings and surnames which all have a common origin in the Thilkinton name.

Famous people with the name Thilkinton

• Kevin Thilkinton, a successful, Emmy-award winning Special Effects Make-up Artist.
• Sally Thilkinton, a renowned British composer and songwriter who worked primarily on film scores.
• Tony Thilkinton, a popular French actor who has appeared in over forty films.
• Sarah Thilkinton, a successful entrepreneur and designer who founded the company Simply Cottage.
• Dr. Steven Thilkinton, a prominent medical research specialist who has conducted groundbreaking studies in the health industry.
• Alex Thilkinton, an English television presenter and the host of the British TV show, “The Glee Club”.
• Jill Thilkinton, a highly skilled ballerina who has been named a principal dancer with the English National Ballet.
• Jennie Thilkinton, a popular contemporary artist who has displayed her works at numerous art galleries throughout England.

Other surnames

Thilkington