Discover people named Ethel Tolhurst

The last name Tolhurst has English origins, specifically tracing back to the southeastern regions of England, particularly Kent. The name is believed to derive from the Old English elements "toll," meaning a tax or toll, and "hyrst," which refers to a wooded hill or a rise in the land, suggesting that the name may have originally denoted someone who lived near a hill where tolls were collected or a person associated with a toll road. Historically, those bearing the surname Tolhurst may have been involved in occupations related to land management or taxation. Variations of the name can be found in different regions and may include spellings such as Tollhurst or Tolehurst, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic changes over time. While the name is primarily found in England, it may also appear in other English-speaking countries due to migration, though it remains relatively uncommon. Overall, the surname Tolhurst encapsulates a connection to the landscape and economic practices of medieval England.