Surname Thees - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Thees: What does the surname Thees mean?
The last name Thees is a German name that is derived from the Middle High German word "Tiet". The specific meaning of this name is unknown, though it is believed to originally be a nickname for a person who possessed courage, strength, or speed. The earliest recorded reference of this name dates back to 1371, when Johannes von Thees was mentioned in the "Nuwen Testament" museum in Hamburg, Germany.
The surname Thees most likely began as a German locational surname. This means that those who used the last name came from a certain place or region and could have been living there either temporarily or permanently. This last name was often developed to help distinguish between members of the same family living in different areas. The surname may also have roots in the Greek language, as the words for “Thebes” and “Thees” share similar phonetic characteristics.
Today, Thees is an uncommon surname. It is most commonly found in southwestern Germany, as well as areas of Switzerland and Austria. People who bear the name Thees are often of a German, Swiss, or Austrian heritage. Thees is also a common surname among those with Jewish heritage, as historically Jews living in Germany were given the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisThees: Where does the name Thees come from?
Thees is a German surname that is still quite common in many areas of Germany. It is particularly popular in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Thees is derived from the old German name "Theodoricus", which was a name borne by several medieval German kings and princes. The surname likely originated from those noblemen or from the places where they reigned.
Thees is also an uncommon surname in the United States. A search of the phone book turns up fewer than two hundred individuals with the last name Thees living in the US. Most of these individuals are likely descendants of German immigrants who came to this country in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They were likely farmers and tradespeople who established their own communities in rural areas around the Midwest.
Today, Thees is still a fairly rare name outside of Germany. Though it’s becoming increasingly more common, it’s still not a particularly popular last name. However, it’s become increasingly popular among younger generations, particularly in the United States. The surname is becoming more widely used as more people from German descent immigrate to the United States, and as German surnames gain visibility in popular culture.
Variations of the surname Thees
Thees is a surname that is of German origin and has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spelling of Thees is Tes, and the different surnames of the same origin include Teis, Theiss, Theissen, Thies, and Thiess. Other less common variants and surnames include Ties, Tieß, Teuss, Tees, Teß, Deis, and Diess.
The surname Thees likely began as a patronymic form of the German name Dieter, which was derived from the Germanic name Thiadhar. It was commonly accepted in Germany to name children after the father and add an "s" or "es" sound at the end of the name. For example, Dietersson in Scandinavian languages, or son of Dieter in German.
Most individuals with the surname Thees migrated from Germany to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the United States, these immigrants largely settled in the states of Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They also traveled to places such as Canada, Australia, and Argentina.
Today, Thees is considered to be an uncommon surname. While it can be difficult to trace the family history for individuals with the surname Thees, variations and different spellings may open up new avenues of research. This is due to the original form and spelling of the name varying from place to place. By researching all of these spellings and variants, it is possible to learn more about a particular family’s journey over the years.
Famous people with the name Thees
- Eric Thees: German journalist involved in the "focus" magazine
- Jackie Thees: American motocross racer
- Amelie Thees: German actress
- Pavel Thees: Composer and sound artist
- Henning Thees: German ice hockey player
- Sasa Thees: Serbian professional footballer
- Sebastian Thees: German footballer
- Helmut Thees: German footballer
- Bob Thees: American professional golfer
- Elisabeth Thees: German politician