Surname Timball - Meaning and Origin
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Timball: What does the surname Timball mean?
The last name Timball is derived from the French-Norman culture and is of patronymic origin; it is derived from the personal name Tim. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, Timball is a variant of the name Timme, which is derived from the medieval personal name Timon. In the Middle Ages, in both France and England, Timon was a popular given name; it was derived from the Greek name Timotheus, which means “honored by God.”
Timball could also be an Anglo-Scottish name, derived from the Renaissance-era name of Tymball. This surname has Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Taimmell, which is an old form of the personal name Teimhin (originally spelled Bees-Teimhin). In Gaelic, this name means “little Thomas” or “son of Thomas.”
In Sweden, the Timball surname may be derived from an Old Norse name that meant “timber-guard.” This implies that the name is likely to have arisen among an itinerant group of people who lived and worked within the forests, taking on the job of guardian of the timber resources.
Overall, Timball is a multi-national surname with various meanings, all rooted in either personal names or trade professions. It is likely that there are families with this surname who have ancestries from multiple countries, each with unique interpretations of the name’s origin.
Order DNA origin analysisTimball: Where does the name Timball come from?
The last name Timball is most commonly found in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. The recorded earliest known records of individuals with the Timball surname date as far back as 1798. While there are records of individuals with this name migrating to England, Australia, United States of America and Canada, the name remains relatively uncommon outside of the Caribbean.
Presently, most individuals react to the name Timball with familiarity and usually refer to it as a “local” surname. However, in the Caribbean, it is a growing surname as intermarriage between individuals of different ethnic backgrounds has become increasingly common.
For individuals (both those of the name Timball and those who are related) not situated in Trinidad and Tobago, there are frequent meet-ups and builds an ambiance of belonging to bring individuals together. These meet-ups bring together individuals of the same surname, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or language.
It is becoming increasingly easier for those of the Timball surname to trace their heritage and connect and build with fellow Timballs. Although the surname is still not as globally common, increased connectivity in our modern world along with recognition and solidarity amongst those of the name, will ensure that the surname will live on.
Variations of the surname Timball
The surname Timball is of English origin and its variants include Timball, Timbal, Tymbal, Timbel, Thimble, and Tymbel. Timball is derived from an Old English word, "Thymel," a nickname form of the personal name Timothy which translates to mean "honoring God".
The variants Timbal, Tymbal, and Tymbel originate from a Middle English word, "Thimbul," which means a small pipe. While Thimble and Timbel are variations of the Middle English word "Thimelen", which means a flat tool used to protect one's finger while using a needle.
Some of the popular associated surnames of Timball include Timmins, Timm, and Thimmes, all of which are English variants of the word 'Timothy'. Thimm, Timmerer, and Tymbal have possible remote Dutch origins. Tyminski is a Polish spelling of the surname, while Thimgen derives from an Anglicized spelling of a German surname.
In short, there are various spellings and surnames of English, Dutch, Polish, and German origin that have the same origin as Timball. All of these surnames share the same root, Timothy, and have derived from the same mean meaning ‘honoring God’.
Famous people with the name Timball
- Alex Timball: professional model and actor
- James Timball: Prolific British actor
- Paul Timball: Hollywood actor, known for his worked in The Avengers
- Peter Timball: Irish Actor
- Will Timball: Award winning comedian and actor
- Kieran Timball: Award winning film and theatre director
- Christian Timball: YouTube Celebrity
- Henry Timball: Well known producer and director
- Jack Timball: Renowned actor and writer
- Arielle Timball: Reality Star and social media personality