THOMPSON, ‘son
of Thom,’ q.v., with intrusive p. This spelling
is more commonly found in England.
THOMSON, ‘son
of Thom,’ q.v. A fairly numerous surname in Scotland.
John Thomson “a
man of low birth, but approved valour,” was leader
of the men of Carrick in Edward Bruce’s war in
Ireland in 1318 (Hailes, II, p.102, 206). Adam Thomson appears
as lord of Kylnekylle, Ayrshire, c. 1370-80 (Laing,
64). Johannes filius Thome was
elected bailie of Aberdeen in 1398 (CRA, p. 374), and
John Tomson witnessed a grant in Ayr
in 1401 (Friars Ayr, p. 37). Donald Thomson was
one of an inquest to determine the rights of pasturage
which the Temple lands had over the adjoining town
and territory of Letter in 1461 (Strathendrick, p.
223). John Thomsoun was juror
on an inquest at Dunipace in 1426 (Cambus, 87),
Duncan Thomsone of Auchinhampteris
witnessed a bond of manrent in 1491 (SMC, IV, p. 189). Cuthbert Thomasoun witnessed
a notarial instrument of 1517 (SoltreI, p. 89), James Tomsone was
tenant of the bishop of Glasgow in 1511 (Rental), and
Peter Thomsone was Illay Herald in
1561 (ER, XIX, p. 150).
“The most
conspicuous family of the name were the Thomsons who
possessed Duddingston, near Edinburgh, for five generations
till sold by Sir Patrick about 1668; his father
had been created a baronet in 1636” (Stodart,
II p. 140).
Many
individuals of this name in Perthshire
and Argyllshire are really MacTavishes.
The surname
in these districts is an Anglicized form of Gaelic
MacThomais, ‘son of Thomas,’ or of Mac
Thomaidh, ‘son of Tommie.” The name
is usually spelled MaKcome (3 syllables) in the early
records, and was formerly common in Upper Deeside. Alexander
Thomeson appears in Strathdee in 1527 (Grant, III,
p. 70). John Dow Thomasson in Perthshire fined
for resetting Clan Gregor, 1613 (RPC, XIV, p. 632). Tamson
1654, Thomeson 1504, Thomesoune 1477, Thompesoune 1665,
Thomsoune 1535, Tomsoun 1567. In some instances
it is also an Englishing of MacComie, q.v. See also
Thomason.
Surnames
of Scotland by George F. Black, Pgs 768 &769
and also found at:
http://www.dunardry.net/mactavish_history/surname_research/thomson_thompson.pdf
