Templeton first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Templeton has been for the last 2 years (from 1988 to 1989) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Templeton

From an Old English place name meaning "town of the man named Tempill".

Popularity of Templeton by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Templeton is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1989, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Templeton.

Year Male Count Female Count
1989 6 0
1988 5 0

The history of the first name Templeton

The name Templeton has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the words "tempel" and "tun," meaning "temple" and "town" or "settlement," respectively. It likely originated as a locational surname, referring to individuals who lived near a temple or in a town with a significant religious structure.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Templeton can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as a place name in various counties in England, such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. This suggests that the name was already in use during the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century.

In the Middle Ages, the name Templeton was not uncommon among the English nobility and gentry. One notable figure bearing this name was Sir William Templeton (c. 1290-1360), a knight and landowner from Nottinghamshire, who fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence alongside King Edward III.

During the Renaissance period, the name Templeton gained further prominence. Sir Thomas Templeton (c. 1515-1587) was an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his support of the Protestant Reformation and his opposition to the Catholic Church.

In the 17th century, a notable bearer of the name was Reverend John Templeton (1622-1689), an English Puritan minister and author who wrote several influential theological works, including "The Doctrine of Repentance" and "The Covenant of Grace."

Moving into the 18th century, James Templeton (1738-1805) was a Scottish entrepreneur and businessman who founded the famous Templeton Carpet Factory in Glasgow, which played a significant role in the industrial revolution and the growth of the textile industry in Scotland.

Another notable figure with the name Templeton was Sir Charles Templeton (1767-1849), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the prestigious Order of the Bath for his military service.

As the name Templeton spread beyond its English roots, it also gained recognition in other parts of the world. One example is John Templeton (1912-2008), an American-born British investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Templeton Growth Fund, who was a pioneer in the field of global investing.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Templeton, showcasing its rich heritage and diverse cultural significance across different eras and regions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Templeton was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Templeton, please contact us.

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"Templeton first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 21, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/templeton-meaning-and-history/.

"Templeton first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/templeton-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 21 May, 2025

Templeton first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/templeton-meaning-and-history/.

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