Surname Thurgood - Meaning and Origin
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Thurgood: What does the surname Thurgood mean?
The surname Thurgood is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English personal name 'Þurgoð', which itself is composed of two elements: 'þur' meaning Thor (the Norse god of thunder in Scandinavian mythology), and 'goð' meaning good. Thus, the literal interpretation of the name Thurgood is "Thor is good" or "Thor the Good". It's important to note that during this period, it was common for people to incorporate names of deities into their children’s names to possibly invoke divine protection. The surname may have originated as a nickname originally given to someone thought to embody the qualities of Thor. This surname was later adopted as a hereditary surname when the tradition of using patronymic surnames became common. One of the most famous people with this last name is Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisThurgood: Where does the name Thurgood come from?
The last name Thurgood is most common today in the United States, particularly in the southeastern part of the country. This is likely due to the legacy of the late Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice. The last name Thurgood is of English origin and was originally a nickname given to someone who was strong-willed or courageous.
In the United States, the last name Thurgood is most prevalent in the states of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. This is most likely due to a combination of ancestral roots in the area and the strong influence of Marshall’s legacy.
In the 2010 United States Census, the total number of people with the last name “Thurgood” was 7,222. From that total, the majority of people with the last name Thurgood reside in the states of Maryland (1,326), Virginia (1,255), North Carolina (715), and West Virginia (676). In addition, the last name is particularly strong in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, with 553 people in the city bearing the last name Thurgood.
Overall, the last name Thurgood is not widespread; it’s most prevalent in the southeastern United States, likely due its ancestral origins and legacy. However, given that the last name originates from a strong-willed and courageous individual, this legacy is sure to live on for many generations.
Variations of the surname Thurgood
The surname Thurgood is derived from the Old Norse phrase Þorger?r or Þorgerd. It translates to mean Thor-guard or Thor-protector and is thought to refer to the warrior god, Thor.
Variations in the spelling of Thurgood include: Thurgeood, Thurgoood, Thurgude, Thurgoard, Thirgood, Thurgird, Thurgard, Thurgeard, Thurgold, Thurgoult, Thuggurd, Thuggard, Thuggarde, Thurgud, Thirsgood, Thörsggård, and Thorsgard.
Other surnames of the same origin for Thurgood include: Torgerd, Thorgard, Thorgaard, Torggard, Thorgardson, Thorgardssen, Tørgerson, Thorgert, Torsgaard, and Torsgaarde.
Although Thurgood is not a common surname, it is used across the globe. Currently, the highest concentration of people with the Thurgood surname is in the United States, according to the 2020 U.S Census. It is also heavily represented in England, Canada, Australia, and the Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.
In the United States, African-American families are closely connected to the surname due to the 19th-century abolitionist, lawyer, and Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. The name has been passed down by generations in celebration of his legacy.
Famous people with the name Thurgood
- Thurgood Marshall: A renowned attorney, scholar, and American civil rights leader, he was the first African-American to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
- Lewis Thurgood: Founder of the Deșteaptă-te, Române! movement, an influential political and social movement in Romania in the 1830s.
- David Thurgood: An English footballer who had a decorated rugby league career.
- Joseph Thurgood: A cricketer who was an important member of the Somerset county cricket team during the 19th century.
- Gregory Thurgood: A contemporary English sculptor who works mainly with bronze.
- Hugo Thurgood: A Victorian businessman most famous for being the first person to sell cards and gifts through mail order catalogs.
- Alexander Thurgood: A British naturalist and conservationist who wrote several books on birds and their behavior in the 1800s.
- Michael Thurgood: A legendary actor and director who has had an extensive career in both film and TV.
- Martin Thurgood: A BBC journalist and presenter, who has undertaken several news reports and documentaries concerning inequality and social justice.
- Alexandria Thurgood: A fashion designer who makes both sustainable and eco-friendly clothes and accessories.