Thompson
An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas," derived from the medieval personal name of Biblical origin.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 772,294 Americans carry the last name Thompson. That puts it at #23 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 225.32 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 444 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Thompson surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
772K
1 in 444
Census rank
#23
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
225.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
665K
very common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 664,644 bearers of the surname Thompson in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 225.32 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 23rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Thompson, the largest self-reported group is White at 69.8%. The next largest groups are Black (23.6%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Thompson
The surname Thompson is of English origin and dates back to the 12th century. It is a patronymic name derived from the given name Thomas, which comes from the Aramaic name Ta'oma, meaning "twin." The suffix "-son" was commonly added to create patronymic surnames in medieval England, indicating the bearer's family lineage.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Thompson surname appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219, where it is spelled as "Tomas filius Thomae" (Thomas, son of Thomas). It is believed that the surname arose independently in various parts of England, particularly in the northern counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Northumberland.
In the 13th century, the surname Thompson is found in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire (1273), where it is spelled as "Thomasune." This variation highlights the fluidity of spelling during that period, as surnames were still establishing their standardized forms.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain the surname Thompson. However, it does mention several individuals with the given name Thomas, indicating the potential for the surname's later development.
Notable historical figures with the surname Thompson include:
1. William Thompson (c. 1675-1737), an English-born poet and critic who was a key figure in the Augustan literary circle.
2. Benjamin Thompson (1753-1814), an American-born inventor and physicist, also known as Count Rumford, who made significant contributions to the fields of heat and energy.
3. William Butterworth Thompson (1805-1874), an English-born surveyor and explorer who conducted extensive surveys in British Columbia, Canada.
4. Sir John Sparrow David Thompson (1845-1894), a Canadian lawyer, teacher, and politician who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Canada from 1892 to 1894.
5. Hunter Stockton Thompson (1937-2005), an American journalist and author, known for his pioneering work in gonzo journalism and books like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
The surname Thompson has also been associated with various place names in England, including Thompsons Close in Berkshire, Thompson's Green in Hertfordshire, and Thompson Hill in Dorset. These place names likely derived from individuals with the Thompson surname who lived or held lands in those areas.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Thompson
Among Census respondents with the surname Thompson, the largest self-reported group is White at 69.8%. The next largest groups are Black (23.6%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Thompson bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Thompson surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White69.8%
- Black or African American23.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races2.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Thompson surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #23 | #23 | 0.0% |
| Count | 664,644 | 664,644 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 225.32 | 225.32 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Thompson bearers went from 664,644 to 664,644 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #23 to #23.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Thompson
FAQ
Thompson surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Thompson?
The surname Thompson holds position #23 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 772,294 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 225.32 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Thompson surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Thompson, the largest self-reported group is White at 69.8%. The next largest groups are Black (23.6%) and Hispanic (2.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.