While many of Irish names are quite familiar to most, their original Gaelic forms are often forgotten and mysterious. The original Gaelic form of the name O'Thoume is O Tuama.
Early Origins of the O'Thoume family
The surname O'Thoume was first found in County Cork
(Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland
in the province of Munster
, where they held a family seat
from very ancient times. This ancient family name was descended from Tuaim Snama, an eighth century King of Osraigi, and were presumably of Dalcassian origin. They were descended through Mathghamhain, the brother of Brian Boru. Although this tribe of Toomey held a family seat in Cork in the 14th century, they are believed to be descended from the Dal Cais to the north.
Early History of the O'Thoume family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Thoume research.Another 321 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1478, 1640, 1653, 1730, 1659, 1702, 1706, 1603 and 1676 are included under the topic Early O'Thoume History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
O'Thoume Spelling Variations
In the Middle Ages, a name was often recorded under several different spelling variations
during the life of its bearer. Literacy was rare at that time and none of the languages to be found in the British Isles had achieved any great semblance of standardization. Variations of the name O'Thoume found include Toomie, O'Toomie, Twomey, O'Twomey, Twomy, O'Twomy, Twony, Toomey, O'Toomey, Toomy, O'Toomy, Twomie, O'Twomie, Twome, O'Twome, Toomee, O'Toomee, Tome, O'Tome, Thomey, O'Thomey, Thoume, O'Thoume, Thomey, O'Thomey, Tumey, O'Tumey, Tumee and many more.
Early Notables of the O'Thoume family (pre 1700)
Another 23 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Thoume Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the O'Thoume family to the New World and Oceana
Irish emigration to North America began modestly in the late 18th century. At this time, Irish families
made the journey to British North America and the United States by choice and after careful consideration: they were primarily in search of a suitably large stretch of land to call their own. This pattern would change most dramatically during the Great Potato Famine
of the late 1840s. For example, the years 1825-1845 saw approximately 450,000 heading to British North America and 400,000 to the United States, but in 1847, at the height of the famine, it is estimated that more than 104,000 Irish immigrants went to British North America and more than 119,000 to the United States. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name O'Thoume: Elizabeth, Michael, and Jerry Twomey who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1847; Jeremiah Twomay settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1850; Jeremiah Twomey settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1833.
The O'Thoume Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Fortis undis et armis
Motto Translation: Waves and strong arms