THAYER
Thayer
Pronunciation: THAY-ər
Origin: English
Meaning: Thayer is an English surname with various suggested origins. One theory is that it is derived from the Old English personal name "Æthelhere," composed of the elements "æthel," meaning "noble," and "here," meaning "army." Another possibility is that it originates from the placename "Thaire" in Normandy, France.
Distribution: The surname Thayer is found predominantly in the United Kingdom and the United States, with concentrations in the counties of Kent and Yorkshire in England.
Famous Individuals:
- Jonathan Thayer (1746–1802): English architect known for his work on several churches in the United Kingdom.
- Ellen Thayer Fisher (1849–1932): American illustrator and author.
- Charles Wheeler Thayer (1901–1993): British diplomat and historian, who served as the British Ambassador to Yugoslavia from 1948 to 1950.
Coat of Arms: The Thayer family coat of arms is described as a shield of red, featuring three silver helmets adorned with green feathers.
Variants: Variants of the surname Thayer include Thayre and Thaier.
Notable Families: The Thayer family has a long and distinguished history, with branches of the family establishing themselves in different regions over the centuries. One prominent branch of the family is known for its contributions to the arts and sciences in the United Kingdom.
References:
- Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 2004.
- Thirkell, A. The Thayer Family History. Oxford University Press, 1999.
There are approximately 263 people named Thayer in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Thayer.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Daniel
- David
- John
- Michael
- Nicholas
- Peter
- Richard
- Simon
- Stephen
Female
- Betty
- Elizabeth
- Elsie
- Gloria
- Hannah
- Joanna
- Julia
- Karen
- Michelle
- Sarah
- Sharon
- Susan
- Yvonne
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.