Johnson Name Variations Across Cultures
Explore the many variations of the Johnson surname across cultures, from Swedish Johansson to Dutch Janssen to Greek Ioannou and Slavic forms.
The name Thomas Johnson combines two names with deep historical roots. Thomas comes from the Aramaic word "תאומא" (te'oma), meaning "twin." The name gained widespread popularity in medieval Europe, particularly in England after Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was martyred in 1170.
Johnson is a patronymic surname meaning "son of John." John itself derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh has favored." The Johnson surname became one of the most common in England and Scotland, with records dating back to the 13th century. The earliest known recording is John Jonessone in 1287.
Together, Thomas Johnson represents a combination of two of the most enduring names in English-speaking culture. Thomas has consistently ranked among the top 50 boys' names in the United States for over a century, while Johnson is the second most common surname in America.
What You'll Learn
Explore the full history of both names, their variations across different cultures and languages, famous bearers throughout history, and how the names have evolved over time.
The Origin and History of the Johnson Surname
Learn the origin and history of the Johnson surname, a patronymic name meaning 'son of John' with Hebrew roots and centuries of documented history.
Thomas Johnson: History of a Classic Name Combination
Explore the history of the combined name Thomas Johnson, from colonial America to modern times, including famous bearers and geographic spread.
The Meaning and Origin of the Name Thomas
Discover the meaning and origin of the name Thomas, from its Aramaic roots meaning 'twin' to its biblical connections and medieval popularity across Europe.
Nicknames and Variations of the Name Thomas
Discover all the nicknames and variations of the name Thomas, including Tom, Tommy, international variants like Tomás and Tommaso, and feminine forms.