Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Ta

The surname Taylor has its roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French word "tailleur," meaning "to cut," which referred to a tailor or someone who made garments. The name first appeared in the 12th century, particularly in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many French words entered the English language.

The surname Tate has its historical origins in England, with roots tracing back to the Old Norse name "Tati," which means "cheerful" or "brave." The name first appeared in written records during the medieval period, particularly in the 13th century, and was often associated with individuals who held specific occupations or social roles, such as landowners or tenants. The surname may also have connections to geographical features, as it is believed to derive from the Old English word "tæt," meaning "a small piece of land." Over time, the surname evolved, with variations appearing in different regions, reflecting the linguistic changes and cultural influences of the areas where bearers of the name lived. Culturally and geographically, the surname Tate has seen variations in spelling and pronunciation, particularly in regions influenced by different languages and dialects.

The surname Tanner has its historical roots in the Old French word "tanier," which means "to tan," referring to the process of treating animal hides to produce leather. This occupational surname first appeared in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, where it was adopted by those involved in the leatherworking trade.

The surname Talbot has its origins in medieval England, deriving from the Old French personal name "Talebot," which itself is believed to be a diminutive of "Taleb," meaning "messenger" or "to tell." The name first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, particularly in the context of the Norman Conquest, when many French names were introduced into England. Over time, the Talbot surname became associated with various noble families, particularly in the regions of Shropshire and Staffordshire.

The surname Taft has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old English word "taft," which means "a place where a tuft of trees grows," indicating a geographical feature associated with the original bearers of the name.

The surname Tanaka is of Japanese origin, with historical roots tracing back to the feudal era in Japan. The name is composed of two kanji characters: "ta" (田), meaning "rice field," and "naka" (中), meaning "middle" or "center." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked in a central rice field, reflecting the agrarian society of historical Japan where rice cultivation was vital.

The surname Tait has its origins in Scotland, particularly in the Borders region, where it is believed to have derived from the medieval personal name "Tait," which itself is a diminutive of "Taitus" or "Tate." The name is thought to mean "cheerful" or "bringer of joy," reflecting the positive traits associated with its bearers. Historically, the Tait family was linked to various occupations, including farming and trades, and they played a role in the local governance and community life of their regions.

The surname Talmadge has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old French term "Talmach," which means "a place of the thistle," indicating a geographical feature or a location characterized by thistles.

The surname Takahashi is of Japanese origin, deriving from the combination of two kanji characters: "taka" (高), meaning "tall" or "high," and "hashi" (橋), meaning "bridge." This surname likely first appeared in Japan during the Heian period (794-1185), a time when surnames began to be adopted by the aristocracy and later by commoners. The name may have originally referred to individuals living near a prominent bridge or a high place, reflecting geographical features of their environment.

The surname Taggart has its roots in Ireland and Scotland, deriving from the Gaelic name "Tadhg," which means "poet" or "philosopher." The name is believed to have first appeared in the early medieval period, with its earliest records found in the 12th century. Taggart was often associated with the Gaelic nobility and was linked to various clans, particularly in the province of Ulster in Ireland.

The surname Talley has its roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French word "tailleur," meaning "cutter" or "tailor." This occupational surname likely emerged in the 12th century, following the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many French words entered the English language. The name was initially associated with individuals who worked as tailors, indicating a skilled trade that was essential in society.

The surname Tatum has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from a place name, specifically from the Old English elements "tæt," meaning "a small house or dwelling," and "ham," meaning "home" or "village." This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been associated with a specific location or settlement, possibly indicating their role as landowners or tenants in a rural community.

The surname Tabor has its historical roots in the Old French word "tabour," which means "drum," and is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone who played the drum or was associated with music. The name first appeared in medieval France and later spread to England and other parts of Europe, particularly during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

The surname Tapia has its historical roots in Spain, particularly in the regions of Castile and León. The name is believed to derive from the Spanish word "tapia," which refers to a wall or a fence, often made of mud or clay.

The surname Taber has its historical roots primarily in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old French word "tabour," meaning "drum," which suggests that the original bearers may have been associated with music or the military, possibly as drummers or musicians.

The surname Tayler has its roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French word "tailleur," meaning "cutter" or "tailor." It first appeared in written records in the 13th century, particularly in the context of occupational surnames that identified individuals by their trade. As a surname, Tayler was often associated with those who worked as tailors, a vital profession in society that involved the crafting of clothing.

The surname Talbott has its historical roots in England, with origins tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Talbot," which itself is believed to have originated from the Germanic elements "tal," meaning "valley," and "bod," meaning "messenger" or "herald." The name was first recorded in the 12th century, particularly in the context of the Norman Conquest, when many French names were introduced into England.

The surname Tardif has its roots in France, particularly in the northern regions, where it is believed to have originated in the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old French word "tardif," meaning "slow" or "late," which may have been used as a nickname for someone who was perceived as sluggish or perhaps for a child born later than expected.

The surname Tarr has its historical roots primarily in England, with origins that can be traced back to the Old French word "tarre," meaning "to draw" or "to pull." This suggests that the name may have originally been occupational, possibly referring to someone who was involved in drawing or pulling goods, such as a cart driver or a laborer. The surname began to appear in written records during the medieval period, with variations in spelling reflecting the phonetic pronunciations of the time.

The surname Talbert has its historical roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French personal name "Talbert," which itself comes from the Germanic elements "tal," meaning "valley," and "berht," meaning "bright" or "famous." The name first appeared in records during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, as many Anglo-Norman surnames were adopted by the English populace. Over time, the Talbert surname became associated with various occupations, often linked to land ownership or agricultural roles, reflecting the agrarian society of the period.