Thorby

The surname Thorby is of English origin, deriving from the pre-7th century Old Norse and Old English personal name Thorkell, meaning "Thor's cauldron" or "cauldron of the thunder god Thor." The addition of "by" at the end is a common suffix in Old Norse and Old English place names, denoting a farmstead or settlement.

The Thorby surname is primarily found in Lincolnshire and the surrounding regions in England. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the early 18th century when the Thorby family was noted in parish records and local documents.

Over the centuries, the Thorby surname has seen variations in spelling, including Thorbie, Thorbey, and Thurby, reflecting the evolving nature of English language and spelling conventions.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Thorby are scarce in historical records, pointing to its relatively limited prominence in British history. However, the Thorby family name has endured through generations, with descendants likely spread across various parts of the United Kingdom and beyond.

In contemporary times, the surname Thorby remains a unique and distinguished identifier, reflecting the ancestral roots and cultural heritage of those who bear it.

There are approximately 183 people named Thorby in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Thorby.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Leonard
  • Mark
  • Martin
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Mike
  • Philip
  • Vince

Female

  • Christine
  • Corrina
  • Helen
  • Jacqueline
  • Jennifer
  • Margaret
  • Michelle
  • Nadia
  • Pamela
  • Sylvia

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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