What is the origin of the last name Thompson?

Answer 1

The origin of the surname Thompson is various. It could be either of Scottish, English, Scots-Irish, or Jewish origin.

Thompson is a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas". Thomas is originally of Aramaic origin, which translates as "twin" תָּאוֹמָא (Ta'oma'). It is also of Hebrew origin in which Thomas or Te'om means "honesty and innocence."

Thomas was a popular New Testament name given to early Christians and gentiles. Many non-Jews adopted this name, and in most cases the surname Thompson is European (mainly Scottish), especially common among the British Isles. The Scots-Irish and Scottish Thompson name is from the Gaelic, Clan MacThòmais. The English origin of Thompson is usually spelled without the "p": Thomson.

As a Jewish surname, Thompson is an adoption or translated name, with its origin in Hebrew 'Ben Teom.' As a translated surname, the Hebrew Tobias (Toviah) was sometimes translated to Thompson in the British Isles. The Jewish Tobias name translated to Thompson often times to Anglicise the surname in order to avoid confrontation of the anti-Semitics.

In Hebrew, Tobias is pronounced and written "Toviyah" (טוביה). Toviyah translates as "Jehovah is good", and this surname has been very popular among Jews.