Tomlin

Tomlin is a surname of English origin, commonly regarded as a shortened or diminutive form related to the given name Thomas. The suffix -lin is a medieval English diminutive, yielding a meaning akin to “little Tom” or “son of Thomas.” In some cases the name may have arisen as a habitational or formative variant, but it most often reflects patronymic development from the given name Thomas.

The surname appears in medieval English records and has spread to other English-speaking countries through migration and settlement. In modern times it remains most common in the United Kingdom and the United States, with pockets of presence in Canada, Australia, and other parts of the Commonwealth, where families bearing Tomlin are often linked to English ancestry.

Notable people with the surname include Lily Tomlin (born 1938), an American actress, comedian, and writer known for her work on stage and screen and for her satirical television performances.

The name Tomlin has related forms such as Tomlinson and Thomasin, reflecting its shared origin in the given name Thomas.