Surname Termis - Meaning and Origin
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Termis: What does the surname Termis mean?
The last name Termis is a Polish surname of noble origin derived from the Old Polish term "term". The last name was likely adopted by an ancestral family of noble birth in the 13th century. This term pertained to a person being considered an important political or social figure in higher circles of society. Individuals with the last name Termis were usually of a prominent or prestigious background, although it can also just be a surname adopted by a family of peasant descent.
The most likely origin of the term is derived from the late Middle Polish term termeń which meant power, dominion or control. This word likely stemmed from the Polish verb termić, which referred to taking control of a certain territory. This could explain why the surname Termis is associated with noble origin, since the name conveys the feeling of possessing a certain power or rank.
In modern usage, the surname is still associated with the same meanings: power, dominion and control. People with the last name Termis are usually seen as people with an air of authority and leadership. It is likely the case that the surname serves as an implicit indicator of a level of prestige or importance.
Order DNA origin analysisTermis: Where does the name Termis come from?
The last name Termis is most commonly found in the Baltic region today. It is a very old name, but its exact origin is unknown. It is believed to have either come from the Old Prussian word for a “remote area” -- termas -- or from a Norse name for a hammer -- Termi.
Terms is most prevalent in regions such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. It is particularly popular in the city of Vilnius in Lithuania, and there is a notable concentration of people with this surname in the suburbs of this city. In addition, the surname is common in Belarus and parts of Russia, as well as a few other European countries such as Italy, Germany, and France.
Interestingly, there are some people with the surname Termis in the United States, particularly in the states of Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois. It appears that some descendants from the Baltic region, most likely from Lithuania, migrated to the US during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Generally speaking, the surname Termis is not particularly common today, but it is still found in countries across the Baltic region, as well as in the United States. It is an interesting name that reflects the dynamic and fluid nature of language and culture.
Variations of the surname Termis
The surname Termis is believed to be of French origin and can be seen spelled in various ways. One of the more common variations of this name includes Thermis, Termess, Termus, Termes and Termas. This surname is also known by its longer variation Thermiess as well as Thermias. In regions such as Italy, the same surname is seen spelled as Termese or Termessi and in other areas like Austria it can be seen spelled as Thormes.
In addition to its various spellings, Termis is also known by several surnames of the same origin. The surnames Termissi, Tormis and Tormys can be seen as well as its Latinised version: Thermes and Thermidor.
The surname Termis is found around the world in areas such as France, Italy, Austria, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. All variants of the surname, no matter how it is spelled or how it is pronounced, are connected back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Termis
- Jhazmine Termis: A dancer from Miami, FL, featured on the television series Step Up.
- Robert Termis: A British scholar who became professor of applied linguistics at Imperial College London.
- Henrietta Termis: An American actress, best known for her roles in films such as Stripes and The Sure Thing.
- Marcus Termis: A professional soccer player who represented the Argentina national team in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
- Justine Termis: A Canadian video game designer and top executive at Ubisoft Toronto.
- Antonio Termis: An Italian sculptor and medalmaker who created the bronze bust of Pope John Paul II that resides in St Peter's Square.
- Arturo Termis: A Cuban jazz trumpeter who achieved international fame, performing on records with artists such as Herbie Hancock and Dizzy Gillespie.
- Isabelle Termis: A French singer-songwriter and winner of the prestigious Victoires de la musique award in 2016.
- Judd Termis: An American singer and songwriter who made his name in the punk rock genre.
- Joe Termis: A retired Major League Baseball player who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in the late 1970s and 1980s.