Tomkinson
A locational surname derived from a place name containing "Tom" and "kin".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 583 Americans carry the last name Tomkinson. That puts it at #44,193 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.17 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 587,915 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Tomkinson 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
583
1 in 587,915
Census rank
#44,193
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
487
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 487 bearers of the surname Tomkinson in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 44193rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Tomkinson, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.9%) and Hispanic (1.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Tomkinson
The surname Tomkinson is of English origin, specifically from the county of Yorkshire. It dates back to the 12th century and is derived from the Old English personal name "Tomma" or "Toma", combined with the suffix "-kin", meaning "little" or "son of". This suggests that the name originally referred to the son of a person named Tomma or Toma.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a person named Tomas Tomekin is mentioned. This early spelling variation, "Tomekin", highlights the close connection to the Old English roots of the name.
In the 13th century, the name is found in various historical records, including the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire from 1292, which mention a William Tomkyn. This demonstrates the spread of the name beyond its Yorkshire origins.
The Tomkinson surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Tomkinson's Farm in Cheshire and Tomkinson's Hill in Staffordshire. These place names likely derived from individuals bearing the surname who settled or owned land in those areas.
Notable individuals with the surname Tomkinson include William Tomkinson (c. 1590-1656), an English clergyman and author of several theological works. Another is Richard Tomkinson (1813-1881), a British inventor and engineer who patented several innovations in the textile industry.
In the 17th century, John Tomkinson (1638-1718) was a prominent English merchant and landowner, serving as Sheriff of London in 1686. He was also involved in the establishment of the Bank of England in 1694.
Samuel Tomkinson (1754-1838) was a British artist and engraver known for his landscapes and portraits. His works can be found in various galleries and museums across the United Kingdom.
Thomas Tomkinson (1804-1880) was a British architect and surveyor who designed numerous public buildings and private residences in the Victorian era, many of which are still standing today.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Tomkinson
Among Census respondents with the surname Tomkinson, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.9%) and Hispanic (1.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Tomkinson 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 Tomkinson surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.0%
- Two or more races2.9%
- Hispanic or Latino1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Tomkinson 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 | #44,193 | #44,193 | 0.0% |
| Count | 487 | 487 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Tomkinson bearers went from 487 to 487 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #44,193 to #44,193.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Tomkinson
FAQ
Tomkinson surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Tomkinson?
The surname Tomkinson holds position #44,193 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 583 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.17 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Tomkinson surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Tomkinson, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (2.9%) and Hispanic (1.6%). 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.