Tilghman is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. Its meaning and history are rooted in the Tilghman family's prominent role in early American history.
The Tilghman family can be traced back to Thomas Tilghman, who arrived in Maryland in the late 17th century from England. The name Tilghman is believed to have originated from the village of Tilghman, located near Dover in Kent County, England. However, there is no definitive evidence supporting this claim, and the exact origin of the name remains unclear.
The Tilghmans played a significant role in the American Revolution. One notable figure was Thomas Sim Lee Tilghman (1747-1829), who served as a captain in the Continental Army during the war. He was also a surveyor and contributed to the establishment of several towns in Maryland.
Another prominent member of the Tilghman family was Alexander Contee Hanson Tilghman (1776-1830), a lawyer, politician, and journalist who served as the seventh mayor of Baltimore from 1825 to 1829. He was known for his anti-Masonic views and published several works on politics and religion.
The name Tilghman is not particularly common today, but it has been used consistently throughout history. It has been borne by various notable individuals in fields such as politics, law, and military service, reflecting the family's influence over generations.
In summary, the given name Tilghman originates from England, with its roots tracing back to the prominent Tilghman family of early American history. Its meaning is unclear, but it has been associated with strength, resilience, and leadership throughout generations.
The name Tilghman has seen a varied level of popularity over the past century in the United States. The highest number of births recorded for this name was in 1922 with nine babies given the name Tilghman. However, this popularity did not sustain, as there were only six births each in 1923 and 1924, indicating a decline in usage.
There was a gap of thirty years before the next birth was recorded for Tilghman in 1932, with another six babies bearing this name. This trend continued intermittently over the decades, with five births in 1933, no births between 1934 and 1996, six births in 1997, and then six more in 2010.
Most recently, there were five births recorded for Tilghman in 2017. Over the entire period from 1915 to 2017, a total of fifty-eight babies were given the name Tilghman across these years, demonstrating that while it may not have been consistently popular, this name has maintained some level of usage throughout the century.