Surname Thornwell - Meaning and Origin
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Thornwell: What does the surname Thornwell mean?
The last name Thornwell is of English origin and is primarily considered a topographic surname. It comprises two Old English words: “thorn”, which means a thorn bush, and “well”, which refers to a well or a spring. So, together, Thornwell can be interpreted as 'the spring or well near the thorn bush'.
Topographic surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided recognizable distinguishing names for early inhabitants. Therefore, the name Thornwell was likely given to a family who lived near or by a well or spring that was surrounded or characteristically marked by a thorn bush.
However, without more specific historical and genealogical context, it's important to note that surname meanings can vary and the origin and meaning of the name Thornwell can be different based on the family's history and their region of origin.
Order DNA origin analysisThornwell: Where does the name Thornwell come from?
The name Thornwell is most commonly found in the United States today. It is an Anglicized version of the German surname Thonawal, which first appeared in records in the 1700s. It is most often found in the southern United States, particularly in the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
Many people with the last name Thornwell trace their roots to North Carolina’s Upper Coastal Plain. In the 1700s, many German immigrants settled in the area, including those from the Thonawal family. Over time, the family’s name evolved and various members took on the surname Thornwell, which quickly became commonplace in the area.
Today, the name Thornwell is carried on in families descended from the original German immigrants – many of whom still inhabit the area. It is also seen in other parts of the US, particularly the southern states. In some cases, the name has been adopted by people from other ancestry.
Outside the United States, the surname Thornwell can also be found in other countries, including the United Kingdom. It is not as widely used in other countries, however, and is largely restricted to areas with strong US influences.
Variations of the surname Thornwell
The surname Thornwell is one of many spelling variations of the same surname found in records from many different countries, regions, and cultures. Variations of the last name include Thornhill, Thuring, Tornhill, Thornhl, Thornol, Thurnell, Thornell, Thural, Tourney, Thurnel, Turnhill, Tournee, Thornill, Thornel, Thurwell, and Turnill.
The roots of the Thornwell surname are thought to have originated from one of two origins, either of German or Scandinavian descent. The German origin is from either the toponymic Thurnhil, from the word Thurn (tower) and Hil (hill), or from the personal name Thurno or Turno. The Scandinavian origin is from the Old Norse word Thornwil, from Thorn (thorn bush) and Wil (willow).
The earliest recordings of the name Thornwell have been found in Germany, where it was first recorded in 1210 when a Rudolphus de Thernwil was listed in the 1180 Act of Thuringia. In Scotland, records of the name can be traced back to the late 12th century when Uchtred Thornhulle was a witness to a charter granted by King William the Lion.
The name Thornwell is also found in England, where it was first recorded in 1344 as Thomas Thurhille. By the 15th century, the name was found in Yorkshire and other English counties, as well as in Ireland. It is thought that the Irish variants of the name originated with an Anglo-Norman family, as the name first appeared in the early 14th century in Mayo and Meath.
Overall, the surname Thornwell has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These vary from region to region and have roots in both German and Scandinavian origins.
Famous people with the name Thornwell
- Ashlee Thornwell: American soccer player who played professionally for the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League.
- Michael Thornwell: Australian actor and filmmaker, best known for roles such as Daniel Wingate in the television series Home and Away.
- John Thornwell: English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who was active in the British folk scene of the 1960s and 1970s.
- Fred Thornwell: American theologian and Methodist bishop. He was one of the co-founders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957.
- Margaret Thornwell: British painter and sculptor known for her Expressionist landscapes and figurative works.
- Frank Thornwell: former Canadian cricketer who represented the Ontario Cricket Association and the Canada national cricket team.
- Shane Thornwell: Australian rugby league player who has previously represented Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.
- John Francis Thornwell: American lawyer who served as the 34th Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
- Samson Thornwell: American professional basketball player, currently in the NBA G League with the Windy City Bulls.
- C.G. Thornwell: former African-American figure skater who won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1975.