Where do the Thomsons come from? The name is found most often in central Scotland. There was a John Thomson in Ayrshire in 1318 who led part of Edward Bruce's invading army in Ireland on behalf of Robert the Bruce. There were Thomsons for many generations at Duddingston near Edinburgh. A branch of Thomsons seem to have belonged to the Scottish Border area north of Carlisle where they formed one of the many troublesome families of the area. The tiny MacThomais clan had their homeland in Glenshee but were forced out in the Seventeenth century. MacComies had their seat at Finegand in Glenshee and there were MacThomases in North Fife, Dundee and Angus. As one of the commonest names in the country, having Thomson ancestors and being interested in genealogy is a thankless task ! Tartans, badges and slogans The modern Thomson tartan has a very attractive blue ground with white, red and yellow strips, and there is a grey, hunting version also. Another blue sett, designed for Lord Thomson of Fleet in 1958 was based on a sample in the Moy Hall collection dating from the mid-Nineteenth century. A very modern 'camel Thomson' is based on the MacTavish sett but bears a close resemblance to the classic Burberry check. The crest is a stag's head dating from the arms of Thomson of That Ilk in the Seventeenth century. Famous Thomsons Thomsons are ubiquitous and have contributed in most walks of life. It was Robert William Thomson from Stonehaven who invented the pneumatic tyre in December 1845. Scientist and inventor William Thomson, although born in Northern Ireland, was from a Scots family and became associated with Glasgow University. As Lord Kelvin, he gave his name to the measurement of temperature 'Kelvin'. James Thomson (1700-1748), the poet who wrote 'The Seasons', regarded as a classic of English literature, is best remembered now for writing 'Rule Britannia'. Alexander 'Greek' Thomson was a Nineteenth century architect whose distinctive classical style produced many remarkable Glasgow buildings. The Rev. John Thomson of Duddingston was a landscape painter. Thomsons abroad Thomsons, like many other Scots settled in Poland. Robert Thomson was steward on an estate still called Nowa Szkocja today. Others went to the New World. Andrew Thomson, convicted of burglary in Jedburgh and transported to Australia in 1790 for 14 years, died a wealthy man as a grain grower and brewer. William Thomson, an Orcadian, who became Chief Factor for Hudson's Bay Company in Saskatchewan, gained a high reputation for caring for the Indians duringa smallpox epidemic. Joseph Thomson (of Thomson's Gazelle and Thomson's Falls fame) explored the African lakes, Nyasa and Tanganyika, Sokoto and the Upper Congo, as well as the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. There is a River Thomson in Queensland, Australia. Buildings and places associated with the Thomsons At Duddingston is Thomson's Tower, an octagonal building dating from the Eighteenth century and used by the Rev. John Thomson as his artist's studio. It is also known as The Curling House. The high lands of Glenshee in Perthshire, now a ski resort, were once home to Thomson kinsmen. Tales and legends of the Thomsons The homeland of the MacComies, Finegand, is said to take its name from a Gaelic form, 'feith nan cann', meaning the burn of the heads. This is a reference to some luckless tax-collectors who were killed by the locals and their severed heads tossed into the burn. A well known Scottish saying is 'We're a' Jock Tamson's bairns', reflecting the belief that all people are born equal. Family societies Thomsons do not themselves have a Family Society but share with the MacTavishes who also claim Thomas, Thoms, Thomason and various alternative spellings." />

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