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As the ancient society of Anglo-Saxons who once ruled Britain became more complex during the Middle Ages, toponymic surnames evolved from the need to distinguish individuals from each other. The Old English language term "thorn" meaning "thorn bushes", and "tun" meaning "town or enclosure", were combined to describe persons who lived close to "the village where thorn bushes were plentiful". While there are several variations in the spelling of this proud and noble English surname, the early records of Cheshire reflect the fact that one Peter Thornton was Secretary to the Blundells. A certain James Thornton is known to have migrated to Maryland, in the Americas, in 1633. A contemporary Thornton is one William Robert "Billy Bob" Thornton (born 1955) who is an Academy Award-winning American actor and screenwriter.

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