Surname Threlkell - Meaning and Origin

Threlkell: What does the surname Threlkell mean?

The last name Threlkell is thought to be of English origin. It is believed to be a diminutive form of the surname Thorkell, which is a form of the Old Norse personal name Þorkell meaning “Thor’s kettle” or “Thunder kettle”. Þorkell is a combination of the Norse god Þórr (Thor) and the Old Norse word ‘kel’, which means ‘kettle’ or ‘boiler’.

The surname Threlkell dates back to the late 18th century in the UK. It is most commonly found in Lancashire in northern England and a large number of bearers of the name can be found in the region today. The name is also found in some parts of Scotland, particularly around Edinburgh and Fife. The Threlkells are believed to have come to Scotland from their northern English home as part of a mass migration from England to Scotland in the late 18th century.

The Threlkell surname has also been found in the United States where many early settlers were thought to have settled in the colonial period. The Threlkells in the United States typically come from a Scottish background, however some may also have English ancestry.

The Threlkell surname is unique and interesting, with its origins reaching back to the Norse gods and symbolising power and strength. Its prevalence in northern England and Scotland reflects the strength of its bearers and their place in the history of both countries. It is an interesting name that will continue to be researched by future generations.

Threlkell: Where does the name Threlkell come from?

The last name Threlkell is most common in Great Britain today. Specifically, it is most prevalent in the England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland regions of the United Kingdom. According to the UK Census 2011, there are a total of 184 people with the Threlkell surname living in the UK, with the majority (153 people) residing in England.

Generally speaking, the spread of Threlkells throughout the country is relatively even, with no particular region exhibiting a larger concentration of the name. Of the small remaining amount that lives outside of England, 32 are in Scotland, 6 are in Northern Ireland, and the remaining 3 are in Wales.

Internationally, the Threlkell name is much less frequently encountered. In the United States, for example, the 2010 US Census revealed that only 302 people personally bore the name. Comparatively, the last name reported to be at least ten people was much more common, with more than 1.79 million people, comprising 0.5% of the total US population, possessing it.

In general, the Threlkell name is most common in its homeland of Great Britain, with most members of the name living in the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, it is much less commonly encountered.

Variations of the surname Threlkell

The surname Threlkell is derived from an Old English personal name, consisting of two elements; "thorn", meaning a thorn bush, and "cealc", meaning a rampart. This name, in turn, is derived from two early English words, "thorn" and "kell", meaning spring, stream or brook. The variant spellings of this surname are Thrall, Thrallkael, Threll, Thrills, Thrilka, Threlkel, Thrille, Throakal, Thrallkel, Thrallkine, Therlken, Thrallkin, Thralkail, Tralc, Thrilkic, Tralken, Tralkill, Trillic, Thralk, Thralkat and Trilken.

This surname is found throughout the British Isles, but the most common form is Threll. In early Scottish records it was written as Thrill, Threlkel, Thrilkic and Thrallkel. In some cases the name has even been shortened to Threl.

In the United States, most people named Threlkell are descended from Scottish or Irish immigrants. Other variants include Thrilka, Thrallkene, Thrallkin, Thralkail, Tralc, Tralkill and Trilken. In some cases, it is even spelled as Thrall.

All of these variations of the surname Threlkell share the same origin, but are spelt differently depending on the region they are found in. Today many people use Threll or Threl as their surname, due to its popularity and the fact that it is recognisable throughout the English-speaking world.

Famous people with the name Threlkell

• Alan Threlkeld: former professional middleweight boxer
• Jack Threlkeld: former professional basketball player
• Eon Threlkeld: Australian singer-songwriter
• Eric Threlkeld: former professional football player
• Charles Threlkeld: international soccer player
• Tom Threlkeld: fashion photographer
• J. P. Threlkeld: country music artist
• Michael Threlkeld: Academy Award nominated children’s author and screenwriter
• Richard Threlkeld: American broadcast journalist
• Sherman Threlkeld: American sociopolitical activist

Other surnames

ThrelkelThrelkeld