Surname Thessenvitz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Thessenvitz: What does the surname Thessenvitz mean?
Thessenvitz is a surname of Dutch origin, deriving from the Dutch name Tessenvitze. Both names are derived from the Dutch word tessenvitzen, meaning "four parts." This naming practice was common in the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries. Tessenvitze was a municipal name, which identified the number of homesteads in a township or village's estate.
In essence, Tessenvitze (and its related name, Thessenvitz) signified that an ancestor of the bearer had four homesteads and was likely quite well-off or prominent socially and politically. This origin is mostly likely applicable to all families with the name Thessenvitz.
Thessenvitz is not a common family name, and it appears only rarely in records. In one instance, the name is seen associated with the Witt family, specifically in some records dating back to 1694, but again, the link between the two families is not clear. In Holland, the name Thessenvitz was developed in the province of Gelderland; and since then, the name has been spread to other European countries such as Germany, Denmark, and Austria.
Additionally, over time, the spelling of the family name was changed. In some cases, the "T" was replaced with the letter "D," likely because it sounded more pleasing. Thus, today some people with the name Thessenvitz may spell it as Thessendvitz or Thessenwitz.
Order DNA origin analysisThessenvitz: Where does the name Thessenvitz come from?
The last name Thessenvitz is not especially common today as it is an old name with unclear origins. It can be found primarily in Germany, where records indicate that individuals with this last name lived in Saxony and Westphalia in the early 1800s. It is also present in Austria, though in very small numbers. Most of the Thessenvitz families that can be located today have their roots in Germany, though there have been some instances of the name cropping up in other nations, including the United States and Canada.
Thessenvitz is a Germanic name, with its original elements being "thessen" and "witz." The Thessen part of the name is believed to have originated from either the noun "theissa," meaning "foe" or the verb "theosan," meaning "to annoy" or "tried." Meanwhile, the "-witz" element of the name is derived from the German language and indicates either an area or living space, or a patronymic ending.
Most of the living Thessenvitz individuals who are in North America today can trace their origin back to Germany. In the United States specifically, Thessenvitz is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio which are states known for their large German populations.
Today, the Thessenvitz surname is quite rare and there are likely few families with the name in existence, most of which are in Germany. Those that live in North America are likely to have descended from German immigrants who have generational ties to the homeland.
Variations of the surname Thessenvitz
Thessenvitz (or Tesenvitz) is a surname of German origin, derived from a place name. The earliest recorded mention of a place with this name is found in 12th century logbooks from East Frisia, a region in the northwest of Germany. The name is likely derived from the old Germanic word "theso", meaning "a dike" or "embankment".
Variants of the surname include Tesenvitz, Tessenwitz, Tissenwitz, Teschwitz, Tesemvitz, Tessendorff, Tessenbruch and Tehsenlevitz. Common spellings include Thessenvitz, Tessenvitz, Tessenvits, Tessenvitz, Teßenvitz, Teßenwitz, Tessenwits and Thesenvitz.
The surname is also encountered in many other European countries, particularly in Austria and Estonia, as well as in the United States, Israel and Canada. Variants of the surname in other countries include Tesinsky, Tesensohn, Tessner, Tesson and Teisson.
The Thessenvitz surname is related to other surnames of German origin, such as Tesnovitz, Tisnovand, Tschisnovitz and Theisenvitz. All of these surnames have the same root, but they differ in orthography and pronunciation.
Famous people with the name Thessenvitz
- Ted Thessenvitz, actor known for his roles in How to Be a Gentleman, Wizards of Waverly Place, and The Room Upstairs.
- Lorraine Thessenvitz, scientist and joint RNA-research lecturer at New York University.
- Charles Thessenvitz, rock singer and songwriter, known for his hits "Destiny Away" and "Highways of Life".
- John Thessenvitz, politician and former United States Senator from Kentucky. 5.Lisa Thessenvitz, award-winning documentary filmmaker and activist, best known for her projects "The Forgotten War" and "Too Young to Die".
- Tina Thessenvitz, award-winning lifestyle and travel blogger.
- Jeffrey Thessenvitz, celebrated visual artist and sculptor.
- Billy Thessenvitz, retired basketball player and former NBA All-Star.
- Julian Thessenvitz, Grammy-nominated music producer, known for his work with big names such as Alicia Keys and Drake.
- Carrie Thessenvitz, Academy Award-winning costume designer, known for her work on the films "Chicago", "Alice in Wonderland", and "Once Upon a Time in America".