English patronymic from the Middle English personal name T(h)om(me) plus -son; Thomson is usually the Scottish form, with the -p- being English. Both forms are common in Ireland, carried there during the Plantation period. Also the English rendering of Scottish Gaelic MacTavish (MacTamhais). Thomas is from Aramaic Te'oma 'twin'.
Spellings and related forms: Thomson, Thomsen, MacTavish, Thomas, Tomlinson.
Thompson means "son of Thom", and Thomas means "twin". Two matching stars stand for the twins.
Most surnames have no single "family crest". In heraldry, a coat of arms belonged to one person and passed down one line of descent. Sites that sell "the Thompson coat of arms" usually show the arms of one historic family that shared the name. Ours is different on purpose: an original design built from what the name means, which any Thompson can own honestly.
Blankets: soft velveteen plush (100% polyester), printed on one side; may run up to 3 in. short of the listed size. Rugs: polyester chenille with hemmed edges and a coated backing, for indoor use. Both are printed in the USA (Georgia and North Carolina).
Name meanings come from the sources above, checked 2026-10. Where scholars disagree, we say so.