Find out how popular the last name Thin is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Thin.

Thin, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Thin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Thin in America

Thin is the 94730th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Thin surname appeared 193 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Thin.

The history of the last name Thin

The surname Thin is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "thynne," meaning slender or lean. It was originally a descriptive nickname given to someone with a thin or slender physique.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in various counties across England, such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire. It is believed that the name may have originated in these regions, where it was commonly used as a distinguishing moniker for individuals with a slim build.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Thin can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, which mentions a person named Richard le Thunne. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I, providing valuable insight into the names and occupations of people living in various counties at the time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in several historical records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which listed individuals such as Johannes Thyn and Willelmus Thyn. These tax records were crucial for understanding the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that period.

Over the centuries, the surname Thin has undergone various spelling variations, including Thinn, Thynne, and Thyne. These variations can be found in various historical documents and parish records from different regions of England.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Thin throughout history include:

1. William Thin (1612-1672), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Westminster Abbey.
2. Francis Thin (1648-1711), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Canterbury in the late 17th century.
3. Elizabeth Thin (1824-1908), a Scottish author and poet known for her works exploring rural life and Scottish folklore.
4. John Thin (1840-1920), a Scottish architect and designer who contributed to the design of several notable buildings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
5. William George Thin (1855-1932), a Scottish bookseller and publisher who founded the renowned Thin's Bookshop in Edinburgh, which became a gathering place for literary figures of the time.

The surname Thin has a long and rich history, with its origins rooted in the descriptive nicknames of medieval England. Despite its simple meaning, the name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, politicians, authors, architects, and booksellers, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and literary landscapes of their respective eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Thin

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Thin.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Thin was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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