This interesting surname is a patronymic from "Thomas", which itself was a popular medieval personal name of biblical origin, which has been adopted from an Aramaic byname meaning "twin", borne by one of Christ's, disciples in the bible, best known for his scepticism about Christ's resurrection. In England the personal name is recorded only as a priest's name before the Norman Conquest and appears as "Thomas" in the Domesday Book of 1086, afterwards it became one of the most popular personal names, being popularised by the fame of Thomas Becket, martyred in 1170. Many surname have developed from "Thomas", since the 12th Century, such as "Thom", "Tomas", "Thom(p)sett", as well as many patronymics like "Thom(p)son", "Tom(p)kins" and "Thomlinson". Eglantine, daughter of Robert Tomes was christened at St. Nicholas, Cole Abbey, London on October 21st 1593, while one Eliner, daughter of John and Elizabeth Tombs was christened at St. Ann, Blackfriars, London on November 7th 1630. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Toume, which was dated 1327, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, during the reign of King Edward 111, "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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