Thames

Etymology

This surname is locational: it originally pointed to a person who lived by the River Thames or came from the Thames-side area. Harrison explains it from the river name itself, which appears in Old English forms such as Temes, Temis, and related spellings, ultimately reflecting an older Celtic river-name element. The river name is usually understood to mean something like 'dark, still, or sluggish water.'

History

The surname appears in English records as a place-based name, and later spread as a hereditary family name. Because the Thames is such a major English river, the name could arise independently in different places along its course. It is also seen in forms connected with local areas and streets named after the river.

Origin

Regions

Variant spellings

Fun fact

The River Thames is one of the oldest river names in Britain, with roots that likely predate English itself.

Related surnames