Surname Thurlkill - Meaning and Origin
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Thurlkill: What does the surname Thurlkill mean?
The surname Thurlkill is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is mostly found in regions of northern England. Its meaning is not entirely specific but it can be inferred from its two components, "Thur" and "Kill". The first part "Thur" could possibly be derived from the old Norse god Thor, who is the god of thunder in Norse mythology. The second part, "Kill", is derived from the old English word "Cille" meaning a church or a religious house. So, one interpretation could be 'Thor's Church.' However, it's not uncommon for surnames to change spelling and meaning over centuries, so it's important to remember that meanings can be somewhat speculative. It is also always used as a surname rather than a first name. Surnames often denote occupation, location, or a descriptive characteristic of the person, so without further historical context, the exact meaning of Thurlkill could vary.
Order DNA origin analysisThurlkill: Where does the name Thurlkill come from?
The last name Thurlkill is most commonly found in the United States today, primarily scattered throughout the southern states of the country. While some Thurlkill families may have re-located over the years out of the South (or into it), many ancestral family lines have remained in their original states, with the name most notably centered in West Virginia, Virginia, Texas, and Tennessee.
The roots of the Thurlkill family run deep in America, with an extended presence dating back to the early colonial period. The majority of records connect the family’s origin to Scotland and England, where many of the family members, such as William Thdevelopurlkill, settled after crossing the waves. Once established on early American soil, the Thurlkill name spread to the rural areas of Virginia and the surrounding states, earning a lasting legacy as a renowned farming family.
So, while the current home of the Thurlkill family is still predominantly the American South, genealogists have found documents and records showing that bearers of the surname have also left their mark globally throughout the last centuries, with family members making their way as far as Canada and Europe.
Variations of the surname Thurlkill
The surname Thurlkill is believed to have originated from England, where records of the name can be traced as far back as the 16th century. Historically, the surname is derived from the Old English ‘thurh’, or 'thorn' and 'cild', meaning 'children', making it a topographic name for someone who lived near a thorn bush or hedge. Over the centuries, the surname has gone through several spelling variations, including Thurkill, Thirkill, Turkill, Torkill, Tirkill, Torsill and Thirkil.
Variants of Thurlkill may also be found in other countries and cultures with similar spellings, such as Thorskild, Torsell, Thursold, and Thirskild. Americanized versions of the surname may include Torkel, Turckle, Thorsen, Thorkel, or Thorkelson.
In Ireland, the variants Thirkell and Tryckle may be considered the Anglicized version of the Gaelic O’Tearthail, from the roots ‘tear’ meaning ‘man’ and ‘ail’ meaning ‘strange’. Furthermore, Thurlkill has also been altered into variants such as Terrykle and Traskill in Scotland.
Regardless of spelling, variations of the surname Thurlkill are relatively uncommon, yet people bearing the name are found in England, Scotland, Ireland and America.
Famous people with the name Thurlkill
- Stephen Thurlkill: American actor best known for his roles in National Lampoon's Animal House and Club Dread.
- David Thurlkill: American film producer whose diverse credits include Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
- Teresa Thurlkill: American actress best known for her stint as a regular cast member on Showtime's The L Word.
- Joanna Thurlkill: Canadian actress who has frequently appeared in television shows such as Minority Report and Supernatural.
- Carol Thurlkill: English actress who is the star of both Winter People and The Bacon Factory.
- Alex Thurlkill: British comedian, writer, and actor whose humor credits include The Secret Policeman's Ball and HIGNFY.
- Michael Thurlkill: American singer-songwriter and actor who has toured with Miranda Lambert and released six albums.
- Daniel Thurlkill: Canadian filmmaker whose short films have been featured in festivals around the world, such as the Toronto International Film Festival.
- Alexandra Thurlkill: French born artist who has exhibited her work in numerous galleries and publications throughout Europe.
- Matthew Thurlkill: British sculptor who is known for his large-scale abstract works.