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

Tinkham, 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 Tinkham surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tinkham in America

Tinkham is the 16502nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tinkham surname appeared 1,741 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Tinkham.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tinkham to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Tinkham

The surname Tinkham originates from England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "tinc" meaning "to ring a bell" and "ham" meaning "homestead" or "village." This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a church or a place where bells were rung.

The name has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, including Tincham, Tynkham, and Tinkeman. These variations reflect the regional dialects and scribal errors common in medieval times. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it appears as "Adam de Tynkeham."

In the 14th century, the name Tinkham appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, indicating the presence of the family in that region. The Subsidy Rolls were tax records, providing valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that time period.

One notable individual bearing the Tinkham surname was John Tinkham, who lived in the early 16th century. He was mentioned in the records of the Manor of Chilton in Somerset, England, in 1520. While not much is known about his life, his inclusion in these records suggests that he was a landowner or held some significance within the local community.

Another individual of historical significance was William Tinkham, born in 1584 in Wiltshire, England. He was a member of the English gentry and served as a Justice of the Peace for the county. His descendants went on to establish themselves in various parts of England and beyond.

In the 17th century, the Tinkham family expanded across the Atlantic Ocean, with some members settling in the American colonies. One such individual was Ephraim Tinkham, born in 1630 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He was a prominent figure in the early days of the colony and served as a deacon in the local church.

Thomas Tinkham, born in 1665 in Middleborough, Massachusetts, was another notable figure in the New World. He was a successful farmer and landowner, contributing to the development of the region. His descendants continued to play important roles in the communities they settled in.

James Tinkham, born in 1745 in Rhode Island, was a patriot who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. His bravery and service to the cause of independence left a lasting legacy for his family.

While the Tinkham surname may not be as prevalent today as it once was, its rich history and journey through time serve as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of families who bore this name across generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tinkham

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

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 Tinkham 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Tinkham has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Tinkham was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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