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

Tomerlin, 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 Tomerlin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tomerlin in America

Tomerlin is the 36525th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tomerlin surname appeared 612 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 Tomerlin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tomerlin 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 Tomerlin

The surname Tomerlin is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "town" and "mær" meaning "boundary" or "boundary mark." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with someone who lived near a town boundary or a specific landmark.

One of the earliest known records of the name Tomerlin appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties undertaken in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a certain Tomerlin as a landholder in the county of Lincolnshire. This reference provides an insight into the antiquity of the surname and its presence in England during the Norman conquest.

In the 13th century, records show the name spelled as "Tumerlyne" and "Tumerline." These variations likely reflect the regional dialects and spelling conventions of the time. The name also appears in various forms in the Pipe Rolls, a series of financial records maintained by the medieval English Exchequer, further demonstrating its use and establishment during this period.

One notable bearer of the Tomerlin surname was Sir John Tomerlin, a prominent figure in the Court of King Edward III, who lived in the 14th century. Another individual of historical significance was William Tomerlin, a renowned scholar and theologian who taught at the University of Oxford in the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the name Tomerlin was associated with several places in England, such as Tomerlin's Field in Gloucestershire and Tomerlin's Manor in Wiltshire. These place names suggest that the surname was well-established and linked to specific locations, possibly indicating the presence of influential families bearing the name.

The 17th century saw the emergence of notable figures like Thomas Tomerlin, a successful merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol, and Margaret Tomerlin, a renowned author and playwright who gained recognition for her works during the Restoration period.

As the centuries progressed, the Tomerlin surname continued to be carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, artists, and politicians. Among them was Reverend James Tomerlin, a respected minister in the Church of England in the 18th century, and Sir Charles Tomerlin, a prominent politician and member of Parliament in the early 19th century.

Despite its English origins, the Tomerlin surname has since spread to other parts of the world, likely due to migration and the expansion of the British Empire. However, the historical roots and early records of the name remain firmly rooted in the annals of English history, reflecting its enduring legacy and significance within the tapestry of surnames and their fascinating etymological journey.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tomerlin

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

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

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

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