Tomkinson Family History

Welcome to the Tomkinson Family History Website

The name Tomkinson probably originated in Staffordshire, in the Northwest Midlands, England - Tomkin being the diminutive of Thomas, and hence the son of Tomkin (such being a common surname derivation in medieval society). However spelling varies a lot, particularly in the period before Civil registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages started in 1837, when parish priests had their own ideas on spelling! Thompkinson, Tonkeson, Tumkynson, etc.

The Earliest well known researches into the history of the Tomkinson Family were Published in 1904 by Newton Powers Tomkinson of Philadelphia, USA. A transcription of his book - Genealogical Memoirs of various Families of Tomkinson (1620 - 1904) may be Downloaded here (NPTbook.zip) [Please note that errors do occur during transcription].

• The Tomkinson Boys, sons ? of James Tomkinson Esq. of Dorfold, Cheshire [younger brother of William Tomkinson of Bostock, Cheshire] ? (maybe grandsons - the identities of these boys is under review at present)
• - Henry (standing) was born 1741, married Anne, daughter of John Darlington Esq.
• - Edward (seated) was born 1743 assumed the name of Wettenhall [mother was Katherine Wettenhall] in 1798 when he married Sarah, daughter of James Marsden Esq. Edward inherited Bostock Hall when his cousin William died without issue in C1770.
• (source N.P.Tomkinson book)

This mezzotint by EE Milner after T. Gainsborough was published in 1915 by E. Klackner, London. The Original, by Thomas Gainsborough [1727-1788], is now at the Taft Museum of Art ,Cincinnati, USA.

Current Areas of interest are:-

Tomkinson Wills

Parish Records, Property Records and Census Records

Family Trees and Tomkinson Researchers

Eminent Tomkinsons and Family Portraits

This site is under construction and all suggestions and offers of data for inclusion are welcome - Please email me at: rob@tomkinson.info

Rob Tomkinson October 2003