Thompson (surname)

ThompsonPronunciation| /ˈtɒmpsən/ TOMP-sən

|

Origin
Meaning| Son of Thom, Son of Thomas, Son of Tom
Region of origin| Scotland and England
Other names
Variant form(s)| Di Tommaso, Thom, Thomas, Thomason, Thomassen, Thomasson, Thomson, Tom, Tomadze, Tomašević, Tomashov, Tomashvili, Tomaszewicz, Tomescu, Tommasi, Tumasian, Tumasyan, MacTavish, McTavish, Tavish
[1][2][3][4]

Thompson is a surname of English, Irish and Scottish origin which is a variant of Thomson, meaning 'son of Thom'.[5] Thom(p)son is also the English translation of MacTavish, which is the Anglicised version of the Gaelic name MacTamhais.[6][7]

An alternative origin may be geographical, arising from the parish of Thompson in Norfolk.[8] During the Plantation period, settlers carried the name to Ireland.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Thompson was the 23rd most frequently reported surname, accounting for 0.23% of the population.[9]

## Notable people

[edit]

* Top
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* R
* S
* T
* V
* W
* Z

### A

[edit]

* Aaron Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Adaline Emerson Thompson (1859–1951), American educational worker and reformer
* Adam Thompson (born 1992), English footballer
* Aidan Thompson (born 2002), American ice hockey player
* Al Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Alan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Alberto Thompson (1907–1957), American chemist and nuclear scientist
* Alexander Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Alexandra Thompson (1867–1907)
* Alfred Hill Thompson (1839–1874), British architect
* Allen Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Alvin W. Thompson (born 1953), American judge
* Alyssa Thompson (born 2004), American soccer player
* Andrew Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Anthony Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Archie Thompson (born 1978), Australian footballer
* Arthur Herbert Thompson (1890–1916), English soldier and football player

### B

[edit]

* Barry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Benjamin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Betty L. Thompson (1939–2021), American politician from Missouri
* Bill Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* B. J. Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Blake Thompson (born 1993), Australian footballer
* Bodene Thompson (born 1988), New Zealand Rugby League player
* Bradley Thompson (born 1951), American television producer and writer
* Brent Thompson (born 1971), Canadian ice hockey player
* Brian Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Bronwyn Thompson (born 1978), Australian long jumper
* Bryan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Bryce Thompson (basketball) (born 2002), American basketball player
* Bryce Thompson (American football) (born 1999), American football player
* Bubba Thompson (born 1998), American baseball player

### C

[edit]

* Calvin Thompson (born 1964), American basketball coach
* Cameron Thompson (born 1960), Australian politician
* Carl Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Carlos Thompson (1923–1990), Argentine actor
* Carol Thompson, American civil servant
* Caroline Thompson (born 1956), American novelist and film director
* Carroll Thompson (born 1960), British rock singer
* Casey Thompson (born 1998), American football player
* Cec Thompson (1926–2011), British rugby league footballer
* Cecil Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Charles Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Chris Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Christian Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Christopher Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ciarán Thompson (born 1994), Irish-Gaelic footballer
* Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson (born 1996), Irish singer-songwriter
* Clifford Thompson (1904–1955), American film actor
* Clyde Thompson (1910–1979), American prison chaplain
* Cody Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Corey Thompson, Australian rugby league footballer
* Corey Thompson (American football), American football linebacker
* Colin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Craig Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

### D

[edit]

* D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson (1860–1948), Scottish biologist and mathematician
* Daley Thompson (born 1958), Olympic gold medalist
* Daniel Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Darwin Thompson (born 1997), American football player
* Daryl L. Thompson, American inventor and entrepreneur
* Dave Thompson (born 1959), English actor, stand-up comedian, writer
* David Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Dean R. Thompson (born 1967), American diplomat
* Dean Thompson (racing driver) (born 2001), American stock car racer
* Debbie Thompson (1942–2019), American sprinter
* Declan Thompson (born 2002), English footballer
* Deionte Thompson (born 1997), American football player
* Del Thompson (born 1958), American football player
* Deonte Thompson (born 1989), American football player
* Derek Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Des Thompson (1928–2010), English footballer
* Dickie Thompson (1917–2007), American guitarist and songwriter
* Dicky Thompson (born 1957), American professional golfer
* Dijon Thompson (born 1983), American basketball player
* D. J. Thompson (born 1985), American basketball player
* Don Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Dorothy Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Duane Thompson (1903–1970), American actress
* Duncan Thompson (1895–1980), Australian rugby league footballer
* Dwayne Thompson (born 1950), American politician
* Dylan Thompson (born 1991), American football player

### E

[edit]

* Edith Thompson (1893–1923), English murderer
* Edith Thompson (historian), historian and lexicographer
* Edward Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Elaine Thompson (born 1992), Jamaican sprinter
* Eli Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Elinor P. Thompson, British microbiologist and plant scientist
* Eliza Thompson (1816–1905), American temperance advocate
* Elizabeth Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ellen R. Thompson (1928–2014), American composer and music educator
* Elsie Thompson (1899–2013), American supercentenarian
* Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson, Nigerian lawyer
* Emma Thompson (born 1959), British actress and screenwriter
* E. P. Thompson (1924–1993), British 'new-left' historian
* Eric Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ernest Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people, including Ernie Thompson
* E. S. L. Thompson (1848–1944), American writer
* Ethan Thompson (born 1999), Puerto Rican basketball player
* Eva Griffith Thompson (1842–1925), American newspaper editor
* Evan Thompson (born 1962), Canadian professor of philosophy

### F

[edit]

* Fiona Thompson, English cellist
* Flora Thompson (1876–1947), English novelist and poet
* Frances Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Francis Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Frank Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Frederick Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

### G

[edit]

* Gary Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* George Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Georgia Thompson (born 1950), American civil servant wrongfully convicted of corruption, but later exonerated
* Georgie Thompson (born 1977), British broadcast journalist and television presenter
* Geraldine Thompson (1948–2025), American politician in Florida
* Geraldine Morgan Thompson (1872–1967), American social reform pioneer in New Jersey
* Glenn Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Grace Thompson (1891–1???), American silent film actress
* Graham Thompson (swimmer) (born 1964), Zimbabwean swimmer
* Gregory Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Gwen Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

### H

[edit]

* Hank Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Harold Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Harry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Helen F. Thompson, American businesswoman, teacher, and politician
* Henry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Herbert Thompson Jr. (1933–2006), American prelate
* Holly Thompson (born 1998), New Zealand curler
* Hope Thompson, Canadian writer
* Hugh Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Hunter S. Thompson (1937–2005), U.S. journalist and author

### I

[edit]

* Ian Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Israel Thompson (1742–1805), American soldier and politician

### J

[edit]

* J. Lee Thompson (1914–2002), British film director
* Jack Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jackson Thompson (born 1986), Indian cricketer
* Jacob Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jake Thompson (born 1994), American baseball player
* Jalen Thompson (born 1998), American football player
* James Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jamie Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jasmine Thompson (born 2000), British singer and YouTube celebrity
* Jason Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jean Thompson (athlete) (1910–1976), Canadian runner
* Jeff Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jennifer Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jenny Thompson (born 1973), American former swimmer and anaesthesiologist
* Jeremy Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jerome Thompson (born 1988), American lacrosse player
* Jerry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jesse Thompson, (1749–1834), American soldier and politician
* Jim Thompson (writer) (1906–1977), American writer
* Joe Thompson (rugby) (1902–1983) British rugby union and rugby league footballer
* John Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jonathan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jordan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Joseph Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Josh Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Judith Thompson (born 1954), Canadian playwright
* Justin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

### K

[edit]

* Kamila Thompson (born 1983), British singer-songwriter
* Katherine Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Kay Thompson (1909–1998), American author
* Keegan Thompson (born 1995), American baseball player
* Keith Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Kelly Thompson, American author
* Kemel Thompson (born 1974), Jamaican hurdler
* Kenneth Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Kenan Thompson (born 1978), American actor
* Kerstin Thompson (born 1965), Australian architect
* Kevin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Keytaon Thompson (born 1998), American football player
* Kirsten Moana Thompson (born 1964), scholar of American and New Zealand cinema and visual culture
* Kirt Thompson (born 1967), Trinidad and Tobago javelin thrower
* Klay Thompson (born 1990), American basketball player; son of Mychal (below)
* Kristen Thompson, American politician and state senator
* Kristin Thompson (born 1950), American film theorist and author
* Kyle Thompson (born 1992), American photographer

### L

[edit]

* L. F. Thompson, (1827–1894), American politician
* Laird A. Thompson (born 1947), American astronomer
* LaMarcus Adna Thompson (1848–1919), American inventor, known for his early work developing roller coasters, sometimes called the "Father of Gravity"
* Larry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Laura Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Lea Thompson (born 1961), American actress and director
* Lee Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Leonard Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Lexi Thompson (born 1995), American golfer
* Liam Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Libby Thompson (1855–1953), American frontier prostitute and madam
* Lincoln Thompson (1949–1999), Jamaican reggae artist
* Linda Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Lindsay Thompson (1923–2008), Australian politician
* Lisa Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Llewellyn Thompson (1904–1972), American Ambassador to Austria and Soviet Union
* Logan Thompson, (born 1997), Canadian ice hockey goaltender
* Lois Thompson, American football player
* Loren P. Thompson (1927–2015), American politician
* Lucas P. Thompson (1797–1866), American lawyer and politician
* Lucky Thompson (1924–2005), American jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist
* Luke Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Lyle Thompson (born 1992), American lacrosse player

### M

[edit]

* Marcus Thompson (born 1946), American violinist
* Marc Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson (1786–1868), Argentine patriot and salonnière
* Mark Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Marlana Thompson (born 1978), Mohawk beadwork artist, regalia maker, and fashion designer
* Marr Thompson, (1856–1938), Australian arts critic
* Martin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Mary Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Marvin Thompson (born 1977/8), British poet
* Mason Thompson (born 1998), American baseball player
* Matthew Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Max Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Mel Thompson (basketball) (1932–2009), American basketball coach
* Michael Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Mildred Thompson (1935–2003) American painter, sculptor and printmaker
* Miles Thompson (born 1990), American lacrosse player
* Miles Thompson (architect) (1808–1868), English architect
* Morris Thompson (1939–2000), American politician and businessman
* Mychal Thompson (born 1955), Bahamian–American basketball player and broadcaster
* Mychel Thompson (born 1988), American basketball player; son of Mychal
* Myron Thompson (1936–2019), Canadian politician

### N

[edit]

* Nainoa Thompson (born 1953), Hawaiian navigator
* NaJee Thompson (born 2000), American football player
* Nathan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ned Thompson (1910–2011), American football and basketball coach
* Nick Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Nigel Thompson, Irish cricketer
* Norman Thompson (footballer) (1900–1989), English footballer

### O

[edit]

* Obadele Thompson (born 1976), Barbadian sprinter
* Oliver Thompson (born 1988), English guitarist and songwriter
* Owen Thompson (born 1978), Scottish politician

### P

[edit]

* Patricia Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Patrick Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Paul Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Pauline Thompson (1942–2012), New Zealand artist
* Pearl Thompson (born 1957), British musician in The Cure
* Peter Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Peyton Thompson (born 1990), American football player
* Phillip Thompson (born 1988), Australian politician

### R

[edit]

* Rachel Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ralph Thompson (footballer) (1892–1916), English footballer
* Randall Thompson (1899–1984), American composer
* Randall Thompson (boxer) (born 1964), Canadian boxer
* Randy Thompson (born 1963), American singer-songwriter
* Rangi Thompson (1910–1971), New Zealand rower
* Raymond Thompson (1949–2025), New Zealand television writer and producer
* Reginald Campbell Thompson (1876–1941), British archaeologist and epigraphist
* Richard Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Robert Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Rocky Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Roger Thompson (soccer) (born 1991), Canadian soccer player
* Roly Thompson (1932–2003), English cricketer
* Ron Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ruth Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ryan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

### S

[edit]

* Sada Thompson (1927–2011), American actress
* Samuel Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Sarah Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Scott Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Scottie Thompson (born 1981), American actress
* Sean Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Shakiel Thompson (born 1997), English boxer
* Shaq Thompson (born 1994), American football player
* Shawn Thompson (born 1958), Canadian actor and director
* Shedrick Thompson (died 1932), African American suicide victim
* Sheldon Thompson (1785–1851), American politician from Buffalo, New York
* Shirley Thompson, British composer, conductor and violinist
* Silvanus P. Thompson (1851–1916), English physicist
* Siobhan Thompson (born 1984), British-American sketch comedian and comedy writer
* Skylar Thompson (born 1997), American football player
* Smith Thompson (1768–1843), American jurist
* Soren Thompson (born 1981), American épée fencer
* Stanley Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Steve Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Stuart Thompson Irish cricketer
* Sue Thompson (1925–2021), American pop and country singer
* Susanna Thompson (born 1958), American television and film actress
* Sydney Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

### T

[edit]

* Tage Thompson (born 1997), American ice hockey player
* Teddy Thompson (born 1976), British musician
* Tedric Thompson (born 1995), American football player
* Tessa Thompson (born 1983), American actress
* Thomas Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Torger G. Thompson (1853–1923), American politician
* Tony Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Tiny Thompson (1905–1981), Canadian professional ice hockey goalie
* Trayce Thompson (born 1991), American baseball player, son of Mychal
* Trenton Thompson (born 1996), American football player
* Tristan Thompson (born 1991), Canadian basketball player
* Tyrone Thompson (footballer) (born 1982), English footballer
* Tyrone Thompson (politician) (1967–2019), American politician

### V

[edit]

* Victor Thompson (1885–1968), Australian politician
* Vince Thompson (born 1957), American football player

### W

[edit]

* Wallace Thompson (1896–1952), American politician
* Walter Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Wilbur Thompson (1921–2013), American shot putter
* William Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Whitney Thompson (born 1987), American fashion model, winner of America's Next Top Model, cycle 10
* Woodrow R. Thompson (1919–1942), American Marine Corps sergeant and posthumous Navy Cross recipient
* Wright Thompson (born 1976), American sportswriter

### Z

[edit]

* Zachary Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
* Zack Thompson (born 1997), American baseball player
* Zadock Thompson (1796–1856), American naturalist
* Zoe Thompson (born 1983), New Zealand footballer

## Fictional characters

[edit]

* Thomson and Thompson, detectives in The Adventures of Tintin (English language version)
* Flash Thompson, in Marvel Comics
* Gwen Thompson, American Girl character from the Chrissa books and movie
* Nancy Thompson, in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise
* Nucky Thompson, in the American TV series Boardwalk Empire
* Sarah Thompson, in the Home and Away soap opera

## Further reading

[edit]

* "Thompson Surname Meaning, Origins & Distribution". forebears.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
* "Thom(p)son is MacTavish". ClanMacTavish.org.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ 1990 Census Name Files Archived 2010-10-07 at the Library of Congress Web Archives
2. ^ "Scottish Thompson Name is MacTavish". Clanmactavish.org. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
3. ^ "Clan Creep" (PDF). Claymore. Council of Scottish Clans and Associations, COSCA: 17. July 2024. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
4. ^ "Clan MacThomas Society - Clan Creep" (PDF). An Drochaid - The Bridge. 52 (1). Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada: 4. April 2024. ISSN 0703-1491.
5. ^ Quinn, Seán E. (2000), Surnames in Ireland (Google Snippet), Bray, Ireland: Irish Genealogy Press, p. 173, ISBN 978-1-871509-39-7, OCLC 48632352, retrieved 1 January 2012
6. ^ "Clan MacTavish Surname Origin and Variant Spellings" (PDF). Clan MacTavish. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
7. ^ "The Transition of the MacGilletSamhais, MacStibhan, and Tahd Surnames being Associated Family Names of the Clan MacTavish OR How and Why Gaelic Surnames changed to Latin or Anglo-English" (PDF). Clan MacTavish. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
8. ^ Redmonds, George; King, Turi; Hey, David (2011), "Hereditary Surnames", Surnames, DNA, and Family History, New York: Oxford University Press, Classifying Surnames, ISBN 978-0-19-162036-2, retrieved 1 Jan 2012
9. ^ "Frequently Occurring Surnames from the 2010 Census". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2018-06-07.

## See also

[edit]

* Clan MacTavish, ancient Scottish Highland clan
* MacTavish, a surname
* McTavish, a related given name
* Tavish, a related given name

* v
* t
* e

Surnames associated with the given name Thomas

Celtic|

* MacTavish
* McTavish
* MacTamhais

Germanic|

* Thomas
* Thomson
* Thompson
* Thomason
* Tomsen
* Tomson
* Tompson
* Thomsen

Romance|

* Tomasi
* Tomassi
* Tommasi
* Tomas
* Tomàs

Slavic|

* Fomenko
* Fomenkov
* Fomkin
* Fomin
* Fominykh
* Khomenko
* Khomchenko
* Tomas
* Tomaš
* Tomašević
* Tomashevich
* Tomashevsky
* Tomašić
* Tomaszewicz
* Tomaszewski
* Tomić

Lithuanian|

* Tamašauskas/Tamasauskas
* Tamošiūnas
* Tamošaitis
* Tamošauskas
* Tamulaitis
* Tamulis
* Tomaševičius
* Tumas
* and many other variants

Other|

* Maltese: Tumas

Surname list

This page lists people with the surname Thompson.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.

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