where does the last name thompson derive from
Thompson (surname) Thompson is a patronymic surname of English and Scottish origin, with a variety of spellings meaning "son of Thom".[2] An alternative origin may be geographical, arising from the placename Thompson.[3] Thom(p)son is the English translation of MacTavish, which is also the Anglicized version of the Gaelic name of MacTamhais.[4][5] During the Plantation period, settlers carried the name to Ireland. It is the 14th most common surname in the United Kingdom and 23rd most common in the United States.[6] According to the 2010 United States Census, Thompson was the 23rd most frequently reported surname, accounting for 0.23% of the population.[7]
Thompson submachine gun The Thompson was favored by soldiers, criminals, police, and civilians alike for its large .45 ACP cartridge, accuracy, and high volume of fully automatic fire. It has since gained popularity among civilian collectors for its historical significance. It has had, and continues to have, considerable significance in popular culture, especially in works about the U.S.'s Prohibition era and World War II, and hence is among the best-known firearms in recent history. Although the original fully automatic Thompsons are no longer produced, numerous semi-automatic civilian versions are still being manufactured by Auto Ordnance. These retain a similar appearance to the original models, but they have various modifications in order to comply with US firearm laws.