Thomas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the surname Thomas lie in the rugged landscape of Wales. Thomas was a popular Medieval given throughout Europe, coming from the popular biblical name. It is ultimately derived from the Aramaic personal name meaning “twin.” Prior to the Norman Conquest, this name was rarely found, but by the 13th and 14th centuries, it became extremely common in Britain.

Early Origins of the Thomas family

The surname Thomas was first found in Breconshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog), a traditional county in southern Wales, which takes its name from the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog (5th-10th centuries), where the family claims descendance from Owen Glendower, Lord of Glyndwyrdwy, Prince of South Wales.

Early History of the Thomas family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thomas research.

Thomas Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person’s name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welshnames into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Thomas has occasionally been spelled Thomas, Tomas, MacThomas, FitzThomas, Thomasett and others.

Early Notables of the Thomas family (pre 1700)

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir William Thomas of Folkington; Rt. Rev. William Thomas D.D. (1613-1689), a Welsh Anglican bishop, Dean of Worcester (1665-1683).

Thomas World Ranking

In the United States, the name Thomas is the 12^nd most popular surname with an estimated 773,457 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Thomas is ranked the 42^ndmost popular surname with an estimated 41,057 people with that name. [2] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Thomas is the 419^th popular surname. [3] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Thomas as 187^th with 219 people. [4] France ranks Thomas as 4^th with 95,387 people. [5]Australia ranks Thomas as 13^rd with 57,043 people. [6] New Zealand ranks Thomas as 26^thwith 5,802 people. [7] The United Kingdom ranks Thomas as 8^th with 162,177 people. [8]Netherlands ranks Thomas as 689^th with 2,710 people. [9] South Africa ranks Thomas as 203^rdwith 31,908 people. [10]

 Migration of the Thomas family to Ireland

Some of the Thomas family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Thomas migration to the United States +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Thomas 

Thomas Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Joe and Robert Thomas, who all, who settled in Virginia in 1621
• Mr. Nathaniel Thomas, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship “Temperance” [11]
• Mr. John Thomas, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “Southampton” [11]
• Mr. Richard Thomas, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Speedwell” [11]
• Mr. Thomas Thomas, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler traveling aboard the ship “Safety” arriving in Virginia in 1635 [12]

Thomas Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Matheus Thomas, who sailed for America in 1709 with his wife and daughters
• Heinrich Thomas, who settled in America in 1709 settling in Carolina or Pennsylvania
• Andreas Thomas, who landed in New York, NY in 1710-1714 [13]
• Alexander Thomas, who settled in Virginia in 1717
• Edwin Thomas, who settled in Nevis in 1747

Thomas Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Amyus Thomas, who arrived in New York in 1807 [13]
• Angus Thomas, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1812 [13]
• Mr. William Thomas, (b. 1815), aged 21, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship “Royal Adelaide” arriving in the United States on 11th May 1836 [14]
• Mr. William Thomas, (b. 1800), aged 36, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship “Royal Adelaide” arriving in the United States on 11th May 1836 [14]
• Mr. Edward Thomas, (b. 1817), aged 20, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship”Royal Adelaide” arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 [14]

Thomas Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mrs. Catherine Thomas, aged 44, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “Cynosure” in 1863
• Miss Johana Thomas, aged 21, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “Cynosure” in 1863
• Miss Martha Thomas, aged 19, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “Cynosure” in 1863
• Austin William Thomas, who landed in Mississippi in 1902 [13]
• Mr. Saul J. Thomas, aged 6, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “Cynosure” in 1863

 Thomas migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Thomas Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

• Mr. Martin Thomas, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 14th April 1673 [15]
• Henry Thomas, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in 1685 [16]

Thomas Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. William Thomas U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 193 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA [17]
• Mr. Samuel Thomas U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 [17]
• Mr. Samuel Thomas U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 [17]
• Mr. Stephen Thomas U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 [17]
• Mr. Thomas Thomas U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Freeman in 1795 was a Boat Builder [17

Thomas Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Ann Thomas, who arrived in Canada in 1832
• Mrs. Thomas, aged 35, a lady, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig “Sarah” from Bristol, England
• Mary Thomas, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner “Sarah” from Belfast, Ireland
• Ester Thomas, aged 19, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner “Sarah” from Belfast, Ireland
• William Thomas, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Cupid” in 1834

 Thomas migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Thomas Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Miss Betty Thomas, (b. 1770), aged 22, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 14 years, transported aboard the “Bellona” in July 1792, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1832 [18]
• Mr. John Thomas, English convict who was convicted in Hampshire, England for life, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[19]
• Miss Rebecca Thomas, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 7 years , transported aboard the “Britannia III” on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [20]

Thomas Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Ralph Thomas, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, Englandfor 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1801 [21]
• Mr. Robert Thomas, Irish convict who was convicted in Kerry, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [22]
• Mr. John Thomas, British convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[23]
• Mr. William Thomas, British convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for life, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[23]
• Mr. William Thomas, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia[23]

Thomas Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

• “Miss Ann Thomas, (b. 1806), aged 22, English house maid who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the “”Competitor”” on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia” [24]
• “Miss Ann Thomas, (b. 1798), aged 30, Welsh house maid who was convicted in Glamorgan, Glamorganshire, Wales for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the “”Competitor”” on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia” [24]
• “Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, (b. 1793), aged 35, Welsh dairy maid who was convicted in Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales for 14 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the “”Competitor”” on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 1 child aboard the ship” [24]

 Thomas migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Thomas Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Thomas, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship “Bee” arriving in New Zealand in 1833 [25]
• William Thomas, who landed in Korohiwa, opposite Mana, New Zealand in 1836 aboard the ship Caroline
• Joseph Thomas, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Adelaide [26]
• George Thomas, who landed in Doubtless Bay, New Zealand in 1840
• George Thomas, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840

 Thomas migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960’s many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [27]

Thomas Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. John Thomas, (b. 1610), aged 25, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship “Peter Bonaventure” arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [28]
• Mr. David Thomas, (b. 1609), aged 26, British settler travelling aboard the ship “The Dorset” arriving in Barbados in September 1635 [29]
• Mr. William Thomas, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling aboard the ship “The Dorset” arriving in Barbados in September 1635 [29]
• Jo Thomas, (b. 1621), aged 14, British settler traveling aboard the ship “Matthew” arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [30]
• Mr. Richard Thomas, (b. 1595), aged 40, British settler traveling aboard the ship “Matthew” arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [30]

Contemporary Notables of the name Thomas (post 1700) +

• William James “Bill” Thomas (1931-2023), American college basketball player and coach who played and coached at Southwest Missouri State College
• Ronald R. Thomas (1949-2023), American academic, 13th President of the University of Puget Sound (2003-2016)
• Clarence Thomas (b. 1948), American jurist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1991-)
• Charles “Charlie” Thomas (1937-2023), American singer best known for his work with The Drifters, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988
• Frank Joseph Thomas (1929-2023), American Major League Baseball outfielder and infielder who played for seven National League (NL) teams from 1951 to 1966, three-time All-Star team member (1954, 1955, 1958)
• James Leroy “Lee” Thomas (1936-2022), American Major League Baseball player and front-office executive, a two-time MLB All-Star
• Earlie Bee Thomas (1945-2022), American football cornerback in the National Football League (1970-1975)
• Jimmy Thomas (1939-2022), American soul singer and songwriter, best known as a vocalist for Ike Turner, founder of Osceola Records, in 1979
• Timothy E. “Timmy” Thomas (1944-2022), American R&B singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer, best known for the hit song, “Why Can’t We Live Together”
• Demaryius Antwon Thomas (1987-2021), American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos