Thompson is a surname of English and Scottish origin which is a variant of Thomson, meaning 'son of Thom'. An alternative origin may be geographical, arising from the parish of Thompson in Norfolk. During the Plantation period, settlers carried the name to Ireland. Thom(p)son is also the English translation of MacTavish, which is the Anglicised version of the Gaelic name MacTamhais.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Thompson was the 23rd most frequently reported surname, accounting for 0.23% of the population.

Notable people

A
Aaron Thompson (born 1987), American baseball player
Adaline Emerson Thompson (1859-1951), American educational worker and reformer
Adam Thompson (born 1992), English footballer
Al Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Alan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Alberto Thompson (1907–1957), American chemist and nuclear scientist
Alexander Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Alexandra Thompson (1867-1907)
Alfred Hill Thompson (1839–1874), British architect
Allen Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Alvin W. Thompson (born 1953), American judge
Andrew Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Anthony Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Archie Thompson (born 1978), Australian footballer

B
Barry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Benjamin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Betty L. Thompson (1939–2021), American politician from Missouri 
Bill Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
B. J. Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Blake Thompson (born 1993), Australian footballer
Bodene Thompson (born 1988), New Zealand Rugby League player
Bradley Thompson (born 1951), American television producer and writer
Brent Thompson (born 1971), Canadian ice hockey player
Brian Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Bronwyn Thompson (born 1978), Australian long jumper
Bryan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Bryce Thompson (born 2002), American basketball player
Bryce Thompson (American football) (born 1999), American football player
Bubba Thompson (born 1998), American baseball player

C
Calvin Thompson (born 1964), American basketball coach
Cameron Thompson (born 1960), Australian politician
Carl Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Carlos Thompson (1923–1990), Argentine actor
Carol Thompson, American civil servant
Caroline Thompson (born 1956), American novelist and film director
Carroll Thompson (born 1960), British rock singer
Casey Thompson (born 1998), American football player
Cec Thompson (1926–2011), British rugby league footballer
Cecil Thompson (cricketer) (1890–1963), Australian cricketer
Charles Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Chris Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Christian Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Christopher Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Ciarán Thompson (born 1994), Irish-Gaelic footballer
Clifford Thompson (1904–1955), American film actor
Clyde Thompson (1910–1979), American prison chaplain
Cody Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Corey Thompson, Australian rugby league footballer
Corey Thompson (American football), American football linebacker
Colin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Craig Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

D
D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson (1860–1948), Scottish biologist and mathematician
Daley Thompson (born 1958), Olympic gold medalist
Daniel Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Darwin Thompson (born 1997), American football player
Daryl L. Thompson, American inventor and entrepreneur
David Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
 Dean R. Thompson (born 1967), American diplomat
 Dean Thompson (racing driver) (born 2001), American stock car racer
Debbie Thompson (1942–2019), American sprinter
Declan Thompson (born 2002), English footballer
Deionte Thompson (born 1997), American football player
Del Thompson (born 1958), American football player
Deonte Thompson (born 1989), American football player
Derek Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
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
D. J. Thompson (born 1985), American basketball player
Don Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Dorothy Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Duane Thompson (1903–1970), American actress
Duncan Thompson (1895–1980), Australian rugby league footballer
Dwayne Thompson (born 1950), American politician
Dylan Thompson (born 1991), American football player

E
Edith Thompson (1893–1923), English murderer
Edith Thompson (historian), historian and lexicographer
Edward Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Elaine Thompson (born 1992), Jamaican sprinter
Eli Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Eliza Thompson (1816–1905), American temperance advocate
Elizabeth Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Ellen R. Thompson (1928-2014), American composer and music educator
Elsie Thompson (1899–2013), American supercentenarian
Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson, Nigerian lawyer
Emma Thompson (born 1959), British actress and screenwriter
E. P. Thompson (1924–1993), British 'new-left' historian
Eric Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Ernest Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people, including Ernie Thompson
E. S. L. Thompson (1848-1944), American writer 
Ethan Thompson (born 1999), Puerto Rican basketball player
Eva Griffith Thompson (1842–1925), American newspaper editor 
Evan Thompson (born 1962), Canadian professor of philosophy

F
Fiona Thompson, English cellist
Frances Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Francis Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Frank Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Frederick Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

G
Gary Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
George Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Georgia Thompson (born 1950), American civil servant wrongfully convicted of corruption, but later exonerated
Georgie Thompson (born 1977), British broadcast journalist and television presenter
Glenn Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Gregory Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Grace Thompson (1891–1???), American silent film actress
Graham Thompson (swimmer) (born 1964), Zimbabwean swimmer
Gwen Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

H
Hank Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Harold Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Harry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Helen F. Thompson, American businesswoman, teacher, and politician
Henry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Herbert Thompson Jr. (1933–2006), American prelate
Hope Thompson, Canadian writer
Hugh Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Hunter S. Thompson (1937–2005), U.S. journalist and author

I
Ian Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Israel Thompson (1742–1805), American soldier and politician

J
J. Lee Thompson (1914–2002), British film director
Jack Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jackson Thompson (born 1986), Indian cricketer
Jacob Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jake Thompson (born 1994), American baseball player
Jalen Thompson (born 1998), American football player
James Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jamie Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jasmine Thompson (born 2000), British singer and YouTube celebrity
Jason Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jean Thompson (athlete) (1910–1976), Canadian runner
Jeff Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jennifer Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jenny Thompson (born 1973), American former swimmer and anaesthesiologist
Jeremy Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jerome Thompson (born 1988), American lacrosse player
Jerry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jesse Thompson, (1749–1834), American soldier and politician
Jim Thompson (writer) (1906–1977), American writer
Joe Thompson (rugby) (1902–1983) British rugby union and rugby league footballer
John Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jonathan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Jordan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Joseph Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Josh Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Judith Thompson (born 1954), Canadian playwright
Justin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

K
Kamila Thompson (born 1983), British singer-songwriter
Katherine Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Kay Thompson (1909–1998), American author
Keegan Thompson (born 1995), American baseball player
Keith Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Kelly Thompson, American author
Kemel Thompson (born 1974), Jamaican hurdler
Kenneth Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Kenan Thompson (born 1978), American actor
Kerstin Thompson (born 1965), Australian architect
Kevin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Keytaon Thompson (born 1998), American football player
Kirsten Moana Thompson (born 1964), scholar of American and New Zealand cinema and visual culture
Kirt Thompson (born 1967), Trinidad and Tobago javelin thrower
Klay Thompson (born 1990), American basketball player; son of Mychal (below)
Kristen Thompson, American politician and state senator
Kristin Thompson (born 1950), American film theorist and author
Kyle Thompson (born 1992), American photographer

L
L. F. Thompson, (1827–1894), American politician
Laird A. Thompson (born 1947), American astronomer
LaMarcus Adna Thompson (1848–1919), American inventor, known for his early work developing roller coasters, sometimes called the "Father of Gravity"
Larry Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Laura Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Lea Thompson (born 1961), American actress and director
Lee Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Leonard Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Lexi Thompson (born 1995), American golfer
Liam Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Libby Thompson (1855–1953), American frontier prostitute and madam
Lincoln Thompson (1949–1999), Jamaican reggae artist
Linda Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Lindsay Thompson (1923–2008), Australian politician
Lisa Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Llewellyn Thompson (1904–1972), American Ambassador to Austria and Soviet Union
Logan Thompson, (born 1997), Canadian ice hockey goaltender
Lois Thompson, American football player
Loren P. Thompson (1927–2015), American politician
Lucas P. Thompson (1797–1866), American lawyer and politician
Lucky Thompson (1924–2005), American jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist
Luke Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Lyle Thompson (born 1992), American lacrosse player

M
Marcus Thompson (born 1946), American violinist
Marc Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson (1786–1868), Argentine patriot and salonnière
Mark Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Marlana Thompson (born 1978), Mohawk beadwork artist, regalia maker, and fashion designer
Martin Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Mary Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Marvin Thompson (born 1977/8), British poet
Mason Thompson (born 1998), American baseball player
Matthew Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Max Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Mel Thompson (basketball) (1932–2009), American basketball coach
Michael Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Mildred Thompson (1935–2003) American painter, sculptor and printmaker
Miles Thompson (born 1990), American lacrosse player
Miles Thompson (architect) (1808–1868), English architect
Morris Thompson (1939–2000), American politician and businessman
Mychal Thompson (born 1955), Bahamian–American basketball player and broadcaster
Mychel Thompson (born 1988), American basketball player; son of Mychal
Myron Thompson (1936–2019), Canadian politician

N
Nainoa Thompson (born 1953), Hawaiian navigator
NaJee Thompson (born 2000), American football player
Nathan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Ned Thompson (1910–2011), American football and basketball coach
Nick Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Norman Thompson (footballer) (1900–1989), English footballer

O
Obadele Thompson (born 1976), Barbadian sprinter
Oliver Thompson (born 1988), English guitarist and songwriter
Owen Thompson (born 1978), Scottish politician

P
Patricia Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Patrick Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Paul Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Pauline Thompson (1942–2012), New Zealand artist
Pearl Thompson (born 1957), British musician in The Cure
Peter Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Peyton Thompson (born 1990), American football player
Phillip Thompson (born 1988), Australian politician

R
Rachel Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Ralph Thompson (footballer) (1892–1916), English footballer
Randall Thompson (1899–1984), American composer
 Randall Thompson (boxer) (born 1964), Canadian boxer
Randy Thompson (born 1963), American singer-songwriter
Rangi Thompson (1910–1971), New Zealand rower
Raymond Thompson (born 1949), New Zealand television writer and producer
Reginald Campbell Thompson (1876–1941), British archaeologist and epigraphist
Richard Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Robert Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Rocky Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Roger Thompson (born 1991), Canadian soccer player
Roly Thompson (1932–2003), English cricketer
Ron Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Ruth Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Ryan Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

S
Sada Thompson (1927–2011), American actress
Samuel Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Sarah Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Scott Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Scottie Thompson (born 1981), American actress
Sean Thompson (born 1972), Guyanese cricketer
Shaq Thompson (born 1994), American football player
Shawn Thompson (born 1958), Canadian actor and director
Shedrick Thompson (died 1932), African American suicide victim
Sheldon Thompson (1785–1851), American politician from Buffalo, New York
Shirley Thompson, British composer, conductor and violinist
Silvanus P. Thompson (1851–1916), English physicist
Siobhan Thompson (born 1984), British-American sketch comedian and comedy writer
Skylar Thompson (born 1997), American football player
Soren Thompson (born 1981), American épée fencer
Stanley Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Steve Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Sue Thompson (1925–2021), American pop and country singer
Susanna Thompson (born 1958), American television and film actress
Sydney Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people

T
 Tage Thompson (born 1997), American ice hockey player
Teddy Thompson (born 1976), British musician
Tedric Thompson (born 1995), American football player
Tessa Thompson (born 1983), American actress
Thomas Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Torger G. Thompson (1853–1923), American politician
Tony Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Tiny Thompson (1905–1981), Canadian professional ice hockey goalie
Trayce Thompson (born 1991), American baseball player, son of Mychal
Trenton Thompson (born 1996), American football player
Tristan Thompson (born 1991), Canadian basketball player
Tyrone Thompson (footballer) (born 1982), English footballer
Tyrone Thompson (politician) (1967–2019), American politician

V
Victor Thompson (1885–1968), Australian politician
Vince Thompson (born 1957), American football player

W
Wallace Thompson (1896–1952), American politician
Walter Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Wilbur Thompson (1921–2013), American shot putter
William Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Whitney Thompson (born 1987), American fashion model, winner of America's Next Top Model, cycle 10
Woodrow R. Thompson (1919–1942), American Marine Corps sergeant and posthumous Navy Cross recipient
Wright Thompson (born 1976), American sportswriter

Z
Zachary Thompson (disambiguation), multiple people
Zack Thompson (born 1997), American baseball player
Zadock Thompson (1796–1856), American naturalist
Zoe Thompson (born 1983), New Zealand footballer

Fictional characters
 Flash Thompson, in Marvel Comics
 Gwen Thompson, American Girl character from the Chrissa books and movie
 Nancy Thompson, in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise
 Nucky Thompson, in the American TV series Boardwalk Empire
 Sarah Thompson, in the Home and Away soap opera

Further reading

References

See also
Tompson, surname
Thomson (surname)
Thomsen
MacTavish

English-language surnames
Surnames of English origin
Scottish surnames
Patronymic surnames
Surnames from given names