Surname Tunbar - Meaning and Origin

Tunbar: What does the surname Tunbar mean?

The last name Tunbar is of Scottish origin, and it is thought to be derived from the personal name Duncan. It is most likely an Anglicization of the Gaelic term “Mac Dhonnchaidh” or “Mac an t-Sionnaigh”, which is translated as “son of the brown-haired one”. The surname may also be derived from the place name Tun-bar, which is a location in the historic county of East Lothian in Scotland.

The name was first found on record as far back as the late 15th century with the recording of John Tunbar in 1485. Over the next few centuries, it is thought that the bearers of this surname spread from Scotland to England, Ireland, Canada and many other parts of the world.

Today, the surname Tunbar is primarily found in the US and Canada, but it is still commonly used in Scotland. People of this surname can be found in numerous different occupations, including farming, teaching, nursing, and government service.

The Tunbar coat of arms is thought to have been granted to a family of this surname by King Henry VIII of England, although there is little reliable information on this topic. The crest is a black swan with silver wings and a necklace, while the shield uses black and silver horizontal lines.

Tunbar: Where does the name Tunbar come from?

The surname Tunbar appears to be quite rare, and it's difficult to ascertain firm information on its origins. It is not linked to specific geographic regions or cultures in commonly used databases. It's possible that it underwent significant changes over time due to migration, translation, or simply mistakes in transcription.

It could potentially be a variant spelling of more common surnames such as Tunberg or Tunbro, which are of Swedish or Norwegian origin, or even Turnbar, which seems to have some presence in the United States. However, without more concrete evidence, these remain speculative. These spellings aren't common but could possibly be more prevalent in Scandinavia or English-speaking countries.

On the other hand, it could also be a rarer, unique surname, in which case it might only be found within a particular family lineage or in particular localised regions. Presently, without further information, it is hard to ascertain where the surname Tunbar is common today. It is advised for owners of this surname to explore their personal family genealogy to understand where it may originate from.

Variations of the surname Tunbar

The surname Tunbar could have variations, based upon dialects, transcript errors, and so on. Possible variants or surnames of similar origin could include Dunbar, Tunber, Tunbur, Dunbur, Dunber, Tinbar, Tenbar, and Tonbar. However, the most common and likely variant is Dunbar, a prominent Scottish surname that derives from Dunbar, a town in East Lothian, Scotland.

In Old English or Scottish, 'Dun' signifies 'hill' or 'fort', while 'bar' refers to a barrier or gate. So, 'Dunbar' could mean 'the fort on the hill' or 'the hill with barriers'.

Please note, this is an estimation of potential variants and similar surnames, further genealogical research could provide more precise and additional variations. It's also key to remember that surnames could be influenced by various factors including geographical location, local dialect and language, and thus can undergo significant changes over time.

Famous people with the name Tunbar

• Stephen Tunbar, an American modern dancer and choreographer.
• Emma Tunbar, an American music producer, artist and multi-instrumentalist.
• Cu-Tep Tunbar, an indigenous Mexican Yaqui community leader, and activist.
• Mahoma Tunbar, a Mexican painter and muralist.
• Kimberly Tunbar, an American actress and writer.
• Jordan Tunbar, an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor.
• Paul Tunbar, an Australian basketball player.
• Gary Tunbar, an American beauty pageant contestant.
• Ramon Tunbar, a Mexican film director and actor.
• Rowena Tunbar, an American columnist and personal development expert.
• Richard Tunbar, an Australian football player.
• Freda Tunbar, an Indigenous Australian elder and traditional landowner.
• Scott Tunbar, an American writer and producer.
• Simon Tunbar, an American business executive and entrepreneur.
• Mark Tunbar, an American investor and real estate developer.
• David Tunbar, an Australian politician and member of the Australian House of Representatives.
• Jessica Tunbar, an Australian born actress and writer.
• Andrea Tunbar, a Canadian nurse, businesswoman and professional hockey player.
• Michael Tunbar, an American film producer, writer, director, and editor.
• Jeffrey Tunbar, an American writer and producer.

Other surnames

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