THORBURN
Thorburn
Thorburn is a Scottish and northern English surname of Norse origin, meaning "Thor's stream" or "Thor's brook". The name derives from the Old Norse personal name "Thorbiorn". The earliest records of the surname date back to the 12th century in Scotland, particularly in the areas influenced by Viking settlement.
One prominent figure with the surname Thorburn is Sir George Rawson Thorburn, a Scottish military officer and politician who served in the 19th century. Another notable individual is George Thorburn, a renowned artist known for his landscapes and wildlife paintings.
Through the centuries, the Thorburn name has spread across the British Isles and beyond, with notable branches settling in England, Canada, and the United States. Today, the surname Thorburn is still found in various regions, where descendants of the original bearers have continued to uphold the family name.
In heraldry, the Thorburn family crest typically features symbols associated with strength and valour, reflecting the surname's Scottish and Norse origins. The crest may include a shield adorned with distinctive imagery such as a knight's helmet or an oak tree.
Overall, the surname Thorburn represents a rich history of Norse heritage and Scottish lineage, embodying traits of resilience, bravery, and tradition that have been passed down through generations.
There are approximately 2,797 people named Thorburn in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,197th most common surname in Britain. Around 43 in a million people in Britain are named Thorburn.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Richard
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Helen
- Jane
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Maureen
- Susan