Thomson Coat of Arms & Family Crest
Where the Thomson name began, what it means, and where it was first recorded.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Thomson coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Thomson name
Thomson is a patronymic meaning "son of Thom", a medieval short form of Thomas, from Aramaic te'oma, "twin". The spelling without a p is typical of Scotland, where Thomson ranks among the most common surnames, especially in the Lowlands and the south-west. The English spelling Thompson is more usual south of the border.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Thomson name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Thomson name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Thomson family history
Your full Thomson pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Thomson coat of arms for you.
Thomson name FAQ
What does the Thomson name mean?
Son of Thomas ("twin"). Common variants include Thompson, Tomson, MacTavish.
Where does the Thomson surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Is there a Thomson coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Thomson crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Thomson coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).