Thomas Tesdale (1547–1610) was an English maltster, benefactor of the town of Abingdon in the English county of Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) and the primary founding benefactor of Pembroke College, Oxford.

He became a rich maltster in the town, where he served as mayor, and purchased the manor of Ludwell in Oxfordshire.

In 1581 he was elected mayor, but he did not serve his term as he had left the borough when he bought the manor of Ludwell[clarification needed] in Oxfordshire.

Soon after 1586 he moved to Glympton near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, where he rented the manor, raised livestock and grew and milled woad for dyeing.

In 1623, this money was augmented by the Reverend Richard Wightwick of East Ilsley and used instead for the transformation of Broadgates Hall into Pembroke College, named after the Chancellor of Oxford University, William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke.