Thurmond
A surname from an old personal name meaning “Thor’s protection.”
The #5,841 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 52,135 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is generally taken from the old Germanic personal name Thurmond, Thor-mund, or a close variant. The first element is the thunder god Thor; the second element is an old word for “protection” or “hand” in the sense of guarding. In effect, the name meant something like “Thor’s protection” or “protected by Thor.”
History
Medieval records show forms such as Thurmond, Thurman, Thormund, and Thormod in England. Bardsley treats it as a baptismal surname, meaning “son of Thormond,” and Harrison likewise connects it with the old Norse/Anglo-Saxon name. The surname later persisted in English-speaking areas, including the United States, where Thurmond is now the standard spelling.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The name’s first element is the same Thor found in Thursday, which also comes from the god’s name.
From the historical record
“mond. THURMOND! (Eng. and Scand.) Thor's THURMUND J PROTECTION [A. - Sax. Thur- mund = O.N. Thormund : v. under Thop, and + O.E. O.N. mutid, hand, protection] Walter Thurmond.— £r««rf. Rolls. "[(Eng.) Bel. to Thurnhara”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)