Toman

This very interesting surname, widely recorded in Church Registers of England, Ireland, and also in the central European country of Czechoslovakia, has two distinct possible sources, each with its own history and derivation. As an English surname Toman is occupational in origin for the attendant or man-servant of one called Thom or Tom, itself a pet form of the male given name Thomas, from an Aramaic byname meaning "Twin", borne by one of the disciples of Christ. The suffix "-man", from the Olde English pre 7th Century "mann", indicates "servant of" when attached to the master's personal name. Early forms of thus surname occur in Yorkshire, and include: Nicholas Thomasman (Yorkshire, 1301), and William Thomeman (Yorkshire, 1379). On December 22nd 1631, Susanna, daughter of Jasper Toman, was christened at St. Giles', Cripplegate, London. The Czechoslovakian name Toman also derives from Thomas, surnames derived from given names being the oldest and most pervasive surname type throughout Europe. In 1686, the birth of one Jakobus Toman was registered at Klobouky, Hosteradky, Hustopece, Czechoslovakia. In Ireland, Toman is chiefly found in the Ulster county of Tyrone, and in areas lying to the east of that county, and is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic "O'Tuamain", grandson, male descendant of Tuaman, a personal byname from "tua", axe, hatchet, presumably held by a fierce and awesome warrior. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Thomeman, which was dated 1379, in the "Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire", during the reign of King Richard 11, known as "Richard of Bordeaux", 1377 - 1399. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.