Thompson ( surname ) - wikipedia Thompson ( surname ) This is the current revision of this page, as edited by 79.170. 249.4 ( talk ) at 11 : 43, 25 August 2017 ( → ‎ I -- K ). The present address ( URL ) is a permanent link to this version. Revision as of 11 : 43, 25 August 2017 by 79.170. 249.4 ( talk ) ( → ‎ I -- K ) ( diff ) ← Previous revision Latest revision ( diff ) Newer revision → ( diff ) Thompson Family name Pronunciation / ˈtɒmpsən / TOMP - sən Meaning Son of Thom, Son of Thomas, Son of Tom Related names Di Tommaso, MacTavish, MacTamhais, Tavis, Thom, Thomas, Thomason, Thomassen, Thomasson, Thomson, Tom, Tomadze, Tomašević, Tomashov, Tomashvili, Tomaszewicz, Tomescu, Tommasi, Tumasian, Tumasyan Footnotes : Thompson is a patronymic surname of English and Scottish origin, with a variety of spellings meaning `` son of Thom ''. An alternative origin may be geographical, arising from the placename Thompson. Thom ( p ) son is the English translation of MacTavish, which is also the Anglicized version of the Gaelic name of MacTamhais. During the Plantation period, settlers carried the name to Ireland. It is the 14th most common surname in the United Kingdom and 17th most common in the United States. According to the 1990 United States Census, Thompson was the seventeenth most frequently reported surname, accounting for 0.27 % of the population. Contents 1 Notable people with the surname 1.1 A -- D 1.2 E -- H 1.3 I -- K 1.4 L -- P 1.5 R -- S 1.6 T -- Z 2 References 3 See also Notable people with the surname A -- d Addison Roswell Thompson ( 1911 -- 1976 ), Louisiana segregationist politician Ahmir Khalib Thompson ( born 1971 ), aka Questlove, African - American musician, DJ, and record producer Andrew Thompson ( manager ) ( 1845 -- 1895 ), baseball manager Archie Thompson ( born 1978 ), Australian football ( soccer ) player for Melbourne Victory Ben Thompson ( lawman ) ( 1842 -- 1884 ), gunfighter and gambler Benjamin Thompson ( 1753 -- 1814 ), Anglo - American physicist, usually called `` Count Rumford '' Bill Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Bodene Thompson ( born 1988 ), New Zealand Rugby League player Bradley Thompson, American television producer and writer Bronwyn Thompson ( born 1978 ), Australian long jumper Bryan Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Cameron Thompson ( born 1960 ), Australian politician Carl V. Thompson, American engineer Cec Thompson, British rugby league footballer Charles C. Thompson, ( born 1961 ) American Catholic bishop Charles Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Chris Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Corey Thompson, ( born 1990 ), Australian Rugby League player D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson ( 1860 -- 1948 ), Scottish biologist and mathematician Daley Thompson ( born 1958 ), twice Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon Dan Thompson ( swimmer ) ( born 1956 ), Canadian butterfly swimmer Dave Thompson ( comedian ), British standup comedian David Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people, including : David Thompson ( explorer ) ( 1770 -- 1857 ), Canadian explorer Del Thompson ( born 1958 ), American football player Des Thompson ( 1928 -- 2010 ), English footballer Dickie Thompson ( 1917 -- 2007 ), American guitarist and songwriter Dicky Thompson ( born 1957 ), American professional golfer Dijon Thompson ( born 1983 ), American basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League Don Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Duncan Thompson, Australian rugby league footballer E -- h Eddie Thompson, Scottish businessman and chairman of Dundee United F.C. Edward Thompson ( engineer ) ( 1881 -- 1949 ), English steam locomotive engineer for the LNER Elaine Thompson ( born 1992 ), Jamaican sprinter Eli `` Lucky '' Thompson ( 1924 -- 2005 ) American jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist Elsie Thompson ( born 1899 ), American supercentenarian Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson, lawyer Emma Thompson ( born 1959 ), British actress E.P. Thompson ( 1924 -- 1993 ), British ' new - left ' historian Eric Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Eric Thompson ( born 1980 ), Canadian professional wrestler better known as Viktor or Rick Victor Francis Thompson ( 1859 -- 1907 ), English poet Fred Thompson ( born 1942 ), former U.S. Republican senator ( Tennessee ), film / TV actor, 2008 U.S. presidential candidate Fred Thompson ( footballer ) ( born c. 1875 ), English footballer Fred Thompson ( rower ) ( 1910 -- 1971 ), New Zealand rower Frederick Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Gary Thompson ( basketball ), American basketball player George Thompson ( engineer ) Georgia Thompson, Wisconsin civil servant wrongfully convicted of corruption, but later exonerated Georgie Thompson ( born 1977 ), British broadcast journalist and television presenter Greg Thompson ( born 1947 ), Canadian politician Gregg Thompson, U.S. soccer player Gregg Thompson ( astronomer ), Australian astronomer Gwen Thompson, Canadian violinist Lady Gwen Thompson ( 1928 -- 1986 ), American witchcraft author Hank Thompson ( musician ) ( 1925 -- 2007 ), American country music entertainer Hank Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Harry Thompson, several people Helen F. Thompson, American businesswoman, teacher, and politician Henry Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Hugh Thompson, Jr., U.S. Army helicopter pilot, known for saving lives at the My Lai Massacre Hunter S. Thompson ( 1937 -- 2005 ), U.S. journalist and author I -- K Ian Thompson ( high jumper ) ( 1968 -- 1999 ), Bahamian high jumper Ian Thompson ( runner ) ( born 1949 ), English long - distance runner Jack Thompson ( activist ) ( born 1951 ), American lawyer and anti-videogame activist James R. Thompson ( born 1936 ), longest - serving governor of State of Illinois Jasmine Thompson ( born 2000 ), English singer and YouTube celebrity Jeff R. Thompson ( born 1965 ), Louisiana politician Jennifer Laura Thompson ( born 1969 ), American stage actress and singer Jerry Thompson ( born 1923 ), American long - distance runner Jerry D. Thompson ( born 1943 ), American historian Jim Thompson ( writer ) ( 1906 -- 1977 ), American writer Joe Thompson ( rugby ) ( 1902 -- 1983 ) British rugby union and rugby league footballer John Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people, including : John Thompson ( basketball ) ( born 1941 ), American basketball player and coach John Sparrow David Thompson ( 1845 -- 1894 ), former Prime Minister of Canada Jonathan Thompson ( born 1976 ), British television presenter, actor and entrepreneur Jonathan Thompson ( Collector ) ( 1773 -- 1846 ), New York banker and politician Jordan Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Joseph Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Judith Thompson ( born 1954 ), Canadian playwright Kamila Thompson ( born 1954 ), British singer - songwriter Kate Thompson ( author ) ( born 1956 ), British - Irish writer Kemel Thompson ( born 1974 ), Jamaican hurdler Ken Thompson ( born 1943 ), American computer scientist Kenan Thompson ( born 1978 ), American actor Kirt Thompson ( born 1967 ), Trinidad and Tobago javelin thrower Klay Thompson ( born 1990 ), American basketball player ; son of Mychal ( below ) L -- P L.F. Thompson, ( 1827 -- 1894 ), American politician Laird A. Thompson ( born 1947 ), American astronomer LaMarcus Adna Thompson ( 1848 -- 1919 ), known for his early work developing roller coasters, sometimes called the `` Father of Gravity '' Larry Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Lea Thompson ( born 1961 ), American actress and director Lee Thompson ( saxophonist ) ( born 1947 ), member of the UK band Madness Leonard Thompson ( footballer ), British professional footballer Lexi Thompson ( born 1995 ), American golfer Libby Thompson ( 1855 -- 1953 ), frontier prostitute and madam Lincoln Thompson, Jamaican reggae artist Linda Chavez - Thompson, American union leader Lisa Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Llewellyn Thompson, U.S. Ambassador to Austria and Soviet Union Loren P. Thompson, American politician Eli `` Lucky '' Thompson ( 1924 -- 2005 ) American jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson ( 1786 -- 1868 ), Argentine patriot and salonnière Mark Thompson ( media executive ) ( born 1957 ), Director - General of the BBC Martín Jacobo Thompson ( 1777 -- 1819 ), Argentine navy officer and patriot Max Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Mel Thompson ( basketball ) ( 1932 -- 2009 ), American basketball coach Mickey Thompson, race car driver, promoter Mildred Thompson ( 1935 -- 2003 ) American painter, sculptor and printmaker Morris Thompson, American politician and businessman Mychal Thompson ( born 1955 ), Bahamian -- American basketball player and broadcaster Mychel Thompson ( born 1988 ), American basketball player ; son of Mychal Nainoa Thompson, Hawaiian navigator Nathan Thompson ( Australian footballer ) ( born 1978 ), Australian rules footballer Nathan Thompson ( English footballer ) ( born 1990 ), English professional footballer Obadele Thompson ( born 1976 ), Barbadian sprinter Patricia Thompson, American TV and film producer Patrick Thompson ( born 1935 ), British politician Paul Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Peyton Thompson ( born 1990 ), American football player Porl Thompson, musician in The Cure R -- S Ralph Thompson ( footballer ) ( 1892 -- 1916 ), English footballer Randall Thompson ( 1899 -- 1984 ), American composer Reginald Campbell Thompson ( 1876 -- 1941 ), British archaeologist and epigraphist Richard Thompson ( musician ) ( born 1949 ), British musician Richard Thompson ( sprinter ) ( born 1985 ), Trinidadian sprinter Richard Horner Thompson ( born 1926 ), U.S. Army general Richard H. Thompson ( philatelist ), philatelist from Baltimore, Maryland Richard S. Thompson ( 1916 -- 1997 ), Louisiana state legislator Rob Thompson ( musician ) Robert Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Roly Thompson ( 1932 -- 2003 ), English cricketer Ron Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Ruth Thompson, first female state representative of Michigan, first female U.S. Representative from Michigan Sada Thompson ( 1927 -- 2011 ), American actress Sarah Thompson ( actress ) ( born 1979 ), American actress Sarah Thompson, Countess Rumford ( 1774 -- 1852 ), first American countess Scott Thompson ( comedian ) ( born 1959 ), Canadian television comedian Scottie Thompson ( born Susan Scott Thompson, 1981 ), American actress Sheldon Thompson ( 1785 -- 1851 ), American politician from Buffalo, New York Silvanus P. Thompson ( 1851 -- 1916 ), English physicist Soren Thompson ( born 1981 ), American épée fencer Steve Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Susanna Thompson ( born 1958 ), American television and film actress Sydney Thompson, BBC bandleader T -- z Teddy Thompson, British musician Thomas Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people, including : Thomas L. Thompson, Old Testament scholar Tom Thompson ( football ), oldest college football player Tommy Thompson, former Governor of Wisconsin, Former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, and one - time candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election Tiny Thompson ( 1905 -- 1981 ), Canadian professional ice hockey goalie Trayce Thompson ( born 1991 ), American baseball player, son of Mychal Wallace Thompson ( 1896 -- 1952 ), American politician Wilbur Thompson ( 1921 -- 2013 ), American shot putter William Thompson ( disambiguation ), several people Whitney Thompson, fashion model, winner of America 's Next Top Model, cycle 10 Woodrow R. Thompson ( 1919 -- 1942 ), United States Marine Corps sergeant and posthumous Navy Cross recipient Wright Thompson ( born 1976 ), American sportswriter Zadock Thompson ( 1796 -- 1856 ), Vermont naturalist Zoe Thompson, New Zealand international football ( soccer ) player References Jump up ^ 1990 Census Name Files Jump up ^ Quinn, Seán E. ( 2000 ), Surnames in Ireland ( Google Snippet ), Bray, Ireland : Irish Genealogy Press, p. 173, ISBN 978 - 1 - 871509 - 39 - 7, OCLC 48632352, retrieved 1 January 2012 Jump up ^ Redmonds, George ; King, Turi ; Hey, David ( 2011 ), `` Hereditary Surnames '', Surnames, DNA, and Family History, New York : Oxford University Press, Classifying Surnames, ISBN 978 - 0 - 19 - 162036 - 2, retrieved 1 Jan 2012 Jump up ^ `` MacTavish is Thom ( p ) son ''. clanmactavish.org. Retrieved 2012 - 10 - 17. Jump up ^ `` Thom ( p ) son is MacTavish ''. Official Clan MacTavish Seannachie. Archived from the original on December 23, 2012. Retrieved 2012 - 10 - 17. Jump up ^ Thompson Surname at Forebears Jump up ^ United States Census Bureau ( 9 May 1995 ). s : 1990 Census Name Files dist. all. last ( 1 - 100 ). Retrieved on 2008 - 07 - 04. See also Thompson ( disambiguation ) Thomson ( surname ) Thomsen MacTavish This page lists people with the surname Thompson. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person 's given name ( s ) to the link. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thompson_(surname)&oldid=797177664 '' Categories : Surnames English - language surnames Surnames originating in England Scottish - language surnames Patronymic surnames Hidden categories : All set index articles Talk Article Talk More Contents About Wikipedia Bân - lâm - gú Deutsch Norsk Polski Slovenščina Edit links This page was last edited on 25 August 2017, at 11 : 43. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: where did the last name thompson come from
Answer: Thompson is a patronymic surname of English and Scottish origin, with a variety of spellings meaning "son of Thom".[2] An alternative origin may be geographical, arising from the placename Thompson.[3] Thom(p)son is the English translation of MacTavish, which is also the Anglicized version of the Gaelic name of MacTamhais.