A rare example of a name that has maintained usage
since it was introduced by Britain's Viking ancestors.
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Origin: |
From the Old Norse name Þórstæinn meaning "Thor's stone". It was rendered as Thorsten in Old Danish and Þurstan (Thurstan) in Old English. Þórr or Thor (a name which literally translates as "thunder") was the famous Norse god of war, healing, fertility and thunder, and one of the most revered by Viking warriors. The Anglo-Saxons knew him as Thunor, and it is from this that we get our word for Thursday. Thor was a popular name element and can be found in countless Scandinavian names. The second element, steinn, translates as "stone" or "rock" and was also used in numerous dithematic names. It corresponds nicely with the Old English word stān found in names such as Æthelstan. For ancient pagans, stones had a deep spiritual and ritual meaning, as we can see with the many stone circles, henges and monumental stones that survive across the British landscape. |
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Usage: |
When the Vikings first started settling in Britain, they brought the name Þórstæinn with them. Thorstein the Red, son of the Viking Olaf, King of Dublin, flourished in Scotland in the 9th century, successfully waging several campaigns across the country. He became so powerful, infact, that it is thought the Scottish cheiftains conspired to assasinate him. A landowner named Thurstan witnessed charters in East-Anglia* for King Edgar (959–975), and another Thurstan was a witness for King Cnut (1018–1035). During the reign of Edward the Confessor we also find the will of Thurstan, son of Wine, dated to 1043, as well as his land agreement c.1042, which was witnessed by both the king and queen. This Thurstan was clearly a man of much influence, as his land extended through Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex*. The Vikings were also ancestors to the Normans and it is there that we can also find examples of the name in use. Turstinus and Turstenus were latinised forms which were rendered into Old French as Toustin, Toustain and later Tustin(g). When the Normans invaded in 1066 they brought the name with them; this is why we find several examples of both pre-1066 and post-1066 landownders and nobles named Thurstan. Being used by both the indigenous and invading population helped ensure the name's survival, and explains its use across England; not just the Danelaw. Several surnames derive from Thurstan including Thurstans, Thurston, Thursting, Tustain, Thruston, Tutin, Tustin, Dustin and Dusting. A great many names from the Middle Ages gave rise to a series of surnames, but often saw only very sporadic usage as first names after the 13th century. The interesting thing about Thurstan is the wide range of instances as a first name long after 1300. Several examples are attested in the poll tax returns of 1377—81 across the country. After the 14th century the name was mostly localised to southern Lancashire until the late 15th century, when it spread among the aristocracy in North England. In the 19th century the name (now more commonly spelt Thurston) was in low but consistant usage, equating to 4-5 births per year. The 1841 UK census records 190 men named Thurstan or Thurston. By the 1901 UK census the figure had risen to 307, and has maintained usage throughout the 20th century. Since 1996, Thurston has occasionally reached more than 2 births in England and Wales: 3 in 1997, 3 in 1999, 4 in 2004, 3 in 2007, 7 in 2008 and 3 in 2011. The spelling Torsten has also ranked occasionally, including 5 births in 2011. The variant Thorsteinn is occasionally found in Scotland. |
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Famous Bearers: |
History: * Thorstein the Red or Thorstein Olafsson (c.850–c.890), Viking chieftain who ruled a large part of Scotland in the 9th century. Literature: * Draumr Þorsteins Síðu-Hallssonar (The Dream of Thorsteinn Son of Síðu-Hallr) is a late-13th century tale of a Viking named Thorsteinn whose death is fortold by three women who visit him in dream. |
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Variants: |
Thorsten (Old Danish), Torsten (Modern Danish, Swedish), Thorstein (Norwegian), Torsti (Finnish), Thurston (UK) |
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Pronunciation: |
THUR-stən [key] |
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Possible Diminutives: |
Thor, Stan |
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Sibling Names: |
Astrid Linnea Idony Brynja Evelina Viveka |
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