This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Thornham family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Thornham Family History

Thornham Surname Meaning

From Thorneholme in Burton Agnes (ER Yorks), which is recorded as Thurnum in 133, the place-name means ‘at the thorn trees’ from Old English þyrnum, dative plural of þyrne ‘thorn tree’.

From Thornham (Norfolk), Thornham Magna and Parva (Suffolk), or Thurnham (Kent), and perhaps other places similarly named, such as Thornham (Lancs).

These place-names derive from Old English þorn ‘thorn tree’ + hām ‘village homestead’ or hamm ‘enclosure water meadow’.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Thornham family from?

You can see how Thornham families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Thornham family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Thornham families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 43 Thornham families living in Yorkshire. This was about 84% of all the recorded Thornham's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Thornham families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Thornham surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Thornham ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Farm Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Thornham. 25% of Thornham men worked as a Farm Labourer and 79% of Thornham women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Thornham were Joiner(working) and Housewife.

View Census Data for Thornham | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Farm Labourer
    25%
  • Coal Merchant pig Feed
    25%
  • General Labourer
    25%
  • Joiner(working)
    25%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    79%
  • Unpaid Domestic Dut
    8%
  • Domestic Servant
    8%
  • Housewife
    6%

What Thornham family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Thornham. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Thornham census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Thornham

Passenger Lists

There are 231 immigration records available for the last name Thornham. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Thornham immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 73 military records available for the last name Thornham. For the veterans among your Thornham ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Thornham military records

You've only scratched the surface of Thornham family history

Discover More

What is the average Thornham lifespan?

Between 1982 and 1997, in the United States, Thornham life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1991, and highest in 1982. The average life expectancy for Thornham in 1982 was 92, and 88 in 1997.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Thornham

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Thornham ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Thornham family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial