UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname Thomas, derived from the medieval personal name meaning "twin".
In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Thomes surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #27,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Llanwonno, St Giles-in-the-Fields and Aberdare. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Thomes is 277 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 76.7%.
1881 census count
43
Ranked #27,575
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
277 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Thomes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Thomes surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 111 | #16,006 |
| 1861 | historical | 277 | #9,025 |
| 1881 | historical | 43 | #27,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 159 | #17,636 |
| 1901 | historical | 80 | #25,251 |
| 1911 | historical | 43 | #28,581 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 5 | #38,027 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 17 | #36,862 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Llanwonno, St Giles-in-the-Fields, Aberdare, Aberystruth and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Llanwonno | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| 3 | Aberdare | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | Aberystruth | Monmouthshire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Thomes surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Thomes, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Thomes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Thomes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Thomes is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Thomes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Thomes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname THOMES is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "tum," meaning a small village or hamlet, combined with a personal name like Thomas.
The earliest recorded instances of the name THOMES appear in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it was spelled as "Tommes." This suggests that the name was initially concentrated in the county of Oxfordshire and neighboring areas.
In the 14th century, the name THOMES appeared in various historical records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where it was spelled as "Thommes." This indicates that the name had spread to other parts of England by that time.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname THOMES was John Thomes, a wealthy merchant from London who lived in the late 15th century. He is mentioned in several business ledgers and legal documents from the period.
In the 16th century, the THOMES surname can be found in the Parish Registers of Oxfordshire, with variations in spelling such as "Tomes" and "Toombes." This reflects the continuing evolution of the name over time.
During the 17th century, the THOMES family had established a presence in various parts of England. One notable individual was Sir William Thomes (1602-1675), a landowner and member of Parliament for the borough of Taunton in Somerset.
Another prominent figure was Reverend Thomas Thomes (1628-1691), a clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Gloucestershire. He published several theological works during his lifetime.
In the 18th century, the THOMES surname continued to be well-represented in England. One notable individual was Sir Edward Thomes (1710-1785), a wealthy merchant and banker from Bristol, who was knighted for his contributions to the city's economy.
Another notable figure was Captain John Thomes (1745-1822), a naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He was commended for his bravery and leadership in several battles.
By the 19th century, the THOMES surname had spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. One notable individual was Michael Thomes (1820-1898), an Irish-born author and journalist who worked for various newspapers in the United States.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Thomes surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Montgomeryshire leads with 10 Thomes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 104.06x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomeryshire | 10 | 104.06x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 1.93x |
| Flintshire | 7 | 62.11x |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 9.13x |
| Anglesey | 3 | 40.38x |
| Cornwall | 3 | 6.32x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.41x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.57x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 5.66x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 6.31x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.70x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.20x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middle Town in Montgomeryshire leads with 9 Thomes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 90000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Town | 9 | 90000.00x |
| Mold Nerquis | 7 | 7777.78x |
| Lye | 5 | 549.45x |
| Shitlington | 5 | 1162.79x |
| Bradford | 3 | 29.82x |
| Towednack | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Trewalchmai | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Burntwood Edial | 2 | 222.22x |
| Dundee | 1 | 6.90x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.31x |
| Llanarthney | 1 | 370.37x |
| Ruabon | 1 | 45.87x |
| Stockbury | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Uppington | 1 | 10000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Thomes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Thomes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Thomes households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| Factory Girl(Worsted) | 2 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Coole Miner | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Lab | 1 |
| Farmer Of 174 Acres | 1 |
| Farmer Son | 1 |
| Glazier | 1 |
| Glaziers Wife | 1 |
| Miner (Other) | 1 |
| Miners Son | 1 |
| Retired Collier | 1 |
| Serv Domestic Indoor | 1 |
| Sugar House Laborer | 1 |
| Tobacco Merch & Tea Merchant Employing 5 Men 2 Boys & 7 Girls | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Thomes surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Thomes a modern rank of #37,599.
A variant spelling of the English surname Thomas, derived from the medieval personal name meaning "twin".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Thomes bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.