The Thompson Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Thompson, its origins in England, and the story behind a Thompson family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Thompson coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Thompson name
Thompson means "son of Thom", a short form of Thomas. The -p- spelling is the usual English form, while Thomson is more common in Scotland. It took hold especially in northern England and was carried by migrants throughout the English-speaking world, where it ranks among the most frequent surnames.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Thompson name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Thompson name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Thompson family history
The complete Thompson pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Thompson name FAQ
What does the Thompson name mean?
Son of Thom (Thomas). Common variants include Thomson, Tompson, Thomason.
Where does the Thompson surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a Thompson coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Thompson crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Thompson coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; US Census Bureau 2010; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).