Many thanks to Moira for providing these references.
I have been using this (with my math process) and I have made some interesting progress. The lists that do not contain the Thom(p)son name tell just as much as those that do. I noted very few Tomo's (Ireland) migrating until the mid Nineteenth Century suggesting many were comfortable prior to the famine influences and the demise of the tenant farming arrangements enjoyed since the commencement of the 'Plantationor' programmes.
Such programmes in essence were designed as a border defence initiative replacing native Irish peoples with English and Scottish peoples loyal to the English Crown.
These 'Plantation Baronets' required applicants/landholders to raise and maintain small private military units and to provide monies to pay these soldiers at least annually in advance. The monies being paid directly to the Crown whose agents saw the soldiers recieved regular wages. No doubt this process was designed to ensure the 'Loyalty to the English Crown' of these military units.
Whilst reviewing the Muster Roll of the 'County of Donnagall' dated 1630 AD I noted there are very few Thom(p)son names with the exception being the Baronet De Rapho. This Baronet containing 1,000 acres was held by William Stewart who employed some sixty soldiers three of whom were named Thom(p)son.
Looking further at William Stewart he was from Wigtown, West Gallway, Scotland and established his base at the town of Ramelton, Donegal, Ireland. Stewart proved a very capable Administrator and Soldier.
Ramelton is situated some twenty miles north of Letterkenny and some thirty miles west of Londonderry. Ramelton being a larger and more successful Town than Letterkenny until the railway line was constructed to Letterkenny. William Stewart is also credited with building the first Protestant Church in Donegal after establishing his Baronet in the first decade of the 1600's.
The three Thom(p)son soldiers where Archibald and Andrew who appear to be of Commissioned/Non Comissioned rank and Sword and Pikeman, Robert Thom(p)son. Only three of the total of sixty or 5 %. All names being recorded as dry Tomo's. I believe they would certainly have been recruited in Wigtown, Scotland.
Where I find this particularly interesting is that my forebears in Ireland were all named Robert T and I have traced them to Milford, Donegal, Ireland which is situated two miles from Ramelton. I am wondering about the abovementioned Sword and Pikeman. Drawing a long bow ? Perhaps but there is more.
Of the DNA testing our Family joined, one of our closest matches is to one, James Stewart McLellan, who is said to be the illigitmate son (and named for) a Scottish Laird and Ramelton's William Stewart's son is named James. James Stewart inherited his fathers estates. Perhaps insufficient to obtain an inditement but more that sufficient to give cause for suspicion.
From Clan Thompson's position this further places our name again in both the border regions of Scotland with documented evidence of migration to Ireland circa 1607.
The other reference to the Thom(p)son name is in the 'Flax' farming industry where our name is quite prominate by proportion however I have had little to no success in establishing any time line.
I believe the Irish hold much by way of historical record. The problem is they know the commercial value of these records of their most exploited export product. Once again thanks to Moira for locating these references
Kind Regards , rus t
