Thomas Cemetery Records
Search burial records, grave locations, and genealogy data for the Thomas family name across all 50 states.
🏺 Origin of the Thomas Surname
Thomas is a Welsh and English surname derived from the Aramaic name "Toma" (twin) — the given name of the Apostle Thomas. It became a popular given name throughout medieval Europe, and in Wales, where it became especially common, it evolved into a hereditary surname. Thomas is disproportionately common in Wales and among Welsh-heritage Americans.
🇺🇸 Thomas Families in American History
Thomas families came to America primarily from Wales and England. Welsh Thomas families settled heavily in Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia), Ohio, and Appalachian states. The surname is also common among African Americans — many Welsh/English enslavers named Thomas meant freed slaves adopted the surname. George H. Thomas, the "Rock of Chickamauga," is the most famous military Thomas.
Where Thomas Families Are Concentrated
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Welsh Thomas families in eastern Pennsylvania — very high concentration |
| Ohio | Welsh coal-mining Thomas families in southeastern Ohio communities |
| West Virginia | Welsh miners brought Thomas surname to coal country |
| North Carolina | Deep African American and Scots-Irish Thomas heritage |
| Virginia | Colonial-era Thomas families; Confederate/Union general families documented |
Famous Americans Named Thomas
"Rock of Chickamauga" Union general; buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, NY
Clock manufacturer; buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Thomaston, CT
Patriot printer; buried at Rural Cemetery, Worcester, MA
Welsh poet; buried at St. Martin's Churchyard, Laugharne, Wales
Search Tips for Thomas Family Records
Welsh Thomas families: look for Baptist and Congregationalist (Calvinist Methodist) chapel records in Pennsylvania and Ohio
Coal-mining Thomas families in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have well-documented union and company records
Thomas is easily confused with Thompson/Thomson — double-check patronymic variant records
For African American Thomas families, Freedmen's Bureau and Southern Baptist church records are essential
Welsh Thomas emigrants often noted their county of origin (Glamorganshire, Cardiganshire) in American documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thomas primarily Welsh or is it common in all English-speaking countries?
Thomas is common throughout the English-speaking world but is particularly concentrated in Wales — it is estimated that Thomas is the third most common Welsh surname. Welsh immigration to Pennsylvania and Ohio explains much of the surname's concentration in those states.
How do I distinguish Thomas from Thompson/Thomson in records?
Thomas means "son of Thomas used as a hereditary surname." Thompson means "son of Thomas" as a patronymic created in medieval England/Scotland. They share the same root name but are distinct surnames. Check the exact spelling in original records.
Are Welsh-speaking Thomas families documented differently than English ones?
Welsh records (for families who emigrated pre-1900) may include entries in the Welsh language in Nonconformist chapel registers. After emigration to America, records are typically in English, but some Welsh-language societies and newspapers in Pennsylvania and Ohio provide additional documentation.
Can I find Thomas family records from Welsh mining communities in America?
Yes. Welsh coal-mining communities in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and the Mahoning Valley in Ohio kept detailed community records. The Welsh-American Genealogical Society has compiled significant Thomas family documentation from these communities.
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