Surname Theissl - Meaning and Origin
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Theissl: What does the surname Theissl mean?
Theissl (also spelled Thiessl or Thiessl) is a German surname that originated in the 17th century.
The origin of the name is likely derived from the Middle High German term “theiss”, which translates to “measuring”. It was likely given as an occupational name to people who were involved in measuring and surveying land. It is assumed that it may originally have been used to describe someone who measured and handled grains as part of the milling industry.
The name is thought to be most popular in the German states of Bavaria, Tyrol, Baden-Württemberg, and Austria.
Today, Theissl is still a fairly common last name in German-speaking countries, as well as in some parts of the United States.
Those who bear the Theissl surname typically descend from one of the civil registry offices that kept records of their family lineage in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This suggests that members of the Theissl family likely had German, Austrian, or Hungarian roots, and likely settled these parts of Europe around the same time.
Though Theissl may have originally been applied to families in the measuring industry, those who bear this name in modern times may carry it as simply a surname with no connection to its original meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisTheissl: Where does the name Theissl come from?
Theissl is a German-language surname that derives from the Middle High German words "theiss" and "vogele," which together refer to the bird of prey called the Tawny Owl. It became a surname during a period when the nobility actively embraced heraldry as a way to differentiate their family heritage.
Theissl was a particularly popular surname in pre-1850 German-speaking countries, including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It was also in use in the Czech Republic prior to the Nazi occupation. Today, the surname is still quite common in German-speaking countries, particularly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also used in regions where many German immigrants settled, such as South America and the United States. In the United States, the most populous states with the surname Theissl are Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
In addition to its use as a surname, Theissl can also be found in many German-language place and street names. For example, the village of Theissen in south-western Germany dates back to at least 1320 and may have been named after an exploit of the Theisses family, while Theisslweg is a commonly used street name throughout Switzerland.
The surname Theissl is still very much in use today, indicating its popularity and lasting heritage in German-speaking countries and those regions influenced by German migration.
Variations of the surname Theissl
Theissl is a German surname of great antiquity. Variants of this name include Teisle, Tesel, Teesel, Thisel, Thiel, Thiels, Thielsche, Thyl, Thysl, Thießl, and Teissl. The spelling of this surname changed over time, with Teissel and Thiessl being the most commonly used in modern times.
Theissl is derived from the Middle High German word "Thesl" which means clay. As a result, the primary root of this surname is likely to be associated with someone who once held, studied or worked with clay, such as a potter or bricklayer. Some of the oldest recorded spellings of the name date back to as early as the 12th and 13th century. Other spellings are known to stem from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Theissl is also believed to have been used as a nickname to describe a heavy drinker in the Middle German states of Saxony and Thuringia. Those who bore this surname were typically associated with excessive partying and excessive drinking.
Although the surname is German in origin, there are other areas of Europe where the surname is present. These include Southern Poland, Austria, Romania, and the Czech Republic. Due to emigration, the surname has also spread to the United States and Canada.
Despite its many variants, the surname Theissl remains uniquely identifiable and recognizable, as it has been used for centuries. It is a timeless German surname that is likely to continue to be used in various parts of the world for many more years to come.
Famous people with the name Theissl
- Ursula Theissl: Austrian sprint canoer
- Ernest Theissl: Austrian opera singer and actor
- Beate Theissl: Austrian alpine skier
- Magdalena Theissl: Austrian biathlon athlete
- Johannes Theissl: Austrian sculptor
- Johann Theissl: Austrian painter
- Markus Theissl: Austrian Chef and Chef-Consultant
- Adam Theissl: Austrian cyclist
- Gregor Theissl: Austrian actor
- Claudia Theissl: German business executive