Surname Timlin - Meaning and Origin
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Timlin: What does the surname Timlin mean?
The surname Timlin is principally Irish, originating from the Gaelic O'Tiomáin, meaning "descendant of Tiomán". The personal name Tiomán is a variant of Tomas (Thomas), which comes from an Aramaic byname meaning “twin”. It is mainly found in Mayo and Galway in the western part of Ireland. Like many surnames, its meaning is tied to some form of family lineage or ancestry. Its use dates back to ancient medieval times, with the prefix "O" denoting "son of" or "descendant of," a typical feature in Gaelic patronymic surnames. Over time, it has been anglicized to Timlin. As with any surname, individuals bearing the Timlin name can have different familial, regional, and historical connections to it. However, they collectively contribute to the rich tapestry of this surname's history in the Irish culture, diaspora, and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisTimlin: Where does the name Timlin come from?
Timlin is a surname believed to have originated in Ireland. Today it is quite common in the United States, especially in the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. There is a higher concentration of people with the last name Timlin in the cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, and Buffalo.
In Canada, the name is most common in the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia. However, the greatest number of Timlins in Canada can be found in the city of Toronto.
Timlin is a rare name in the United Kingdom, but it can still be found, particularly among people who hail from Ireland. It has also spread to other parts of the Commonwealth and can be seen in New Zealand and Australia, particularly in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
Despite its origins in Ireland, it is not as common there as it is in North America and other parts of the world. However, some pockets of the name still remain in rural areas and are most commonly found in the counties of Cork, Galway and Donegal.
Although the surname itself may not be common in all countries, in all areas, or in all cities, it is fairly widespread and is found on six of the seven continents.
Variations of the surname Timlin
Timlin is a surname of Irish origin. In some cases, the surname can also be spelled as Timlinn, Timlyn, Timothy, Timmony, and Timmerman. The Irish spelling is O Tiomain, or Ua Tiomain.
The Timlin surname is also found in Scotland, where it is spelled as Tamlyn. This spelling is derived from the phrases "toomlyn" and "tamolmoun" which both trace their origins back to Gaelic, meaning "little hill".
The Timlin surname can also be found in England, where it is spelled variously as Timberland, Timbeland, Timbleland, Timland, Timpland, and Timbland. All of these spellings are alternates of the Old English word "timberland", meaning "dweller in timberland".
In some cases, Timlin can be an Americanized spelling of the German surname of the same meaning, Timmermann. This spelling is traceable to the German root Tymmermenn, which is derived from the Middle High German words timmer, meaning "timber", and mann, meaning "man".
Timlin is also an alternate spelling of the English surname Timbrell, which originated from the Old English phrase Tymerella, meaning "timber man". This English name is usually found in counties of Cornwall and Kent.
Overall, the surname Timlin is an Irish, Scottish, English, German, and American name that has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Timlinn, Timlyn, Timothy, Timmony, Tamlyn, Timberland, Timbeland, Timbleland, Timland, Timpland, Timbland, Timmermann, and Timbrell.
Famous people with the name Timlin
- Terry Timlin: is an actor known for his role in "The Artist's Wife" where he plays the character of Adam who is an artist working through his grief after the death of his wife.
- Stephen Timlin: is a former Olympic distance runner and a three-time All-American while attending the University of Oregon. He has set several national records and also served as a coach for the Canadian national track team.
- Reid Timlin: He has appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years, and is a recognizable face in the entertainment industry.
- Chris Timlin: An American professional soccer player currently contracted with the Toronto FC in the Major Soccer League.
- Rose Timlin: A professional dancer known for her appearances on the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars.
- John Timlin: A former Major League Baseball player who played for nine seasons with the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Oakland A's.
- Harry Timlin: An American sound engineer who has worked in the audio-visual industry since 1967.
- Mark Timlin: An English author who has written four novels set in London.
- Ellen Timlin: An American actress who has appeared in the television series Dark Angel, The X-Files, Lost, and The West Wing.
- Steve Timlin: A principal at Cook & Company LLP, a New England service and solution provider for the insurance industry.