Surname Tolkenton - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Tolkenton: What does the surname Tolkenton mean?
The surname Tolkenton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a locational or geographical name. It is derived from a place called Tulketun in Lancashire, England. The elements "tun", meaning farm or settlement, and possibly "Tulka" (a personal name) make up this surname. So it may denote a farm or settlement associated with someone named Tulka. Therefore, it signifies a person's residency rather than their occupation or a patronym. Also, the spelling of surnames often changed over centuries due to a lack of spelling standardization.
The surname became famous due to the National Football League (NFL) quarterback, Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton, whose family likely derived their name from this locality.
It should be noted that the precise meaning of old place names and surnames can sometimes be a matter of conjecture, due to changes in language over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisTolkenton: Where does the name Tolkenton come from?
The last name Tolkenton is thought to have originated in Europe and later spread to North America in the early 1700s. Today, Tolkenton is a rare surname and is reported to be most commonly found in Canada, the United States, and England. Though uncommon, the Tolkenton name is at home in densely populated areas in which people have emigrated from all over the world.
In Canada, the last name Tolkenton is sporadically scattered throughout the country. Most commonly found in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, the surname is also present in the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia. According to genealogy records, some of the earliest Tolkentons to settle in Canada were Robert and Eleanor (nee Mann), who immigrated from England in approximately 1750 and established a homestead in Ontario's Halton County.
In the United States, the name Tolkenton is most often cited in Wisconsin and Minnesota, with various other records indicating that Tolkentons have made their homes in New Jersey, Arkansas, California, and beyond. The earliest Tolkenton family in the United States is believed to have arrived from England in the late 1700s, settling in southeastern Wisconsin.
The surname Tolkenton is found in English records stretching back to 1597, with the earliest record being that of Henry Tolkenton of Kent County. Though the vast majority of records of Tolkentons in England date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname is also present in the records of more modern times, with anecdotal records indicating that Tolkentons can still be found in various parts of England today.
All in all, the last name Tolkenton is a rare one today, but is commonly found in Canada, the United States, and England.
Variations of the surname Tolkenton
Tolkenton is an unusual surname of British origin, with origins most likely derived from an old English personal name 'Tulca', combined with 'tun', meaning 'settlement' to form 'Tulkatun'. Over the centuries, Tolkenton has had various variants and spellings, as many English surnames did.
Variants of the Tolkenton surname include Talkenton, Tulkenon, Tulkinton, and Tolkinton. Of these, Talkenton is likely the closest variant of the Tolkenton surname, as it contains the same letters and syllables, with a single substituted letter 'a' for the letter 'o'.
The Tolkenton surname is a rare one, so it is not surprising that it also has quite a few different surnames of the same origin. The most commonly known surnames derived from Tolkenton are Tolken, Tollken, Tolkens, Tolkein, Tolkenon, Tolkens, Tolkin, Tolkins, and Tolking.
In addition, spelling variations of the Tolkenton surname may include Tolken, Tolkyn, Tolkan, Toulken, Tullken, Talken, Talket, and Talket. It is likely that any of these and other surnames bearing a similarity to Tolkenton have a related origin.
Overall, the Tolkenton surname has had many variants and spellings over the years, as well as many related surnames with a common origin. This reflects the fascinating history of the English language and how different surnames evolved from a single source.
Famous people with the name Tolkenton
- Kyle Tolkenton: Canadian ice hockey player;
- Terrence Tolkenton: former American professional football player;
- Robert Tolkenton: American professional basketball player;
- Judith Tolkenton: television host and producer;
- Thies Tolkenton: German professional footballer;
- Kim Tolkenton: musician from Canada;
- Kim Tolkenton: editor and actress from New York;
- Karina Tolkenton: American opera singer;
- Jamie Tolkenton: Canadian model; 10.Hope Tolkenton: British fashion designer.