Surname Thewißen - Meaning and Origin
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Thewißen: What does the surname Thewißen mean?
Thewißen is a German surname derived from the word “thewe” or “dewe”, which means “knowledge” or “wisdom” in Old High German. It has been part of a number of surnames over the centuries, and its meaning has evolved over time.
The core meaning of the name has remained the same, however; Thewißen is used to refer generally to someone who is knowledgeable or wise. It has been adopted as a surname in part because of this connotation and partly because of its phonetic similarity to the German word 'Weise', meaning guide or guidebook.
Thewißen families are most commonly found in Germany, Austria and other German-speaking countries, although there is also evidence of the name being used in Holland in the 16th century, and in central Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name is also common in the United States, due to the waves of German immigrants that arrived in the country in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, Thewißen is an increasingly rare surname. It may have been passed down through generations, particularly where families have remained in the same area. As a result, the original meaning of the surname may still be known and understood, but for the most part, it is simply seen as a successful German surname.
Order DNA origin analysisThewißen: Where does the name Thewißen come from?
Thewißen is a German surname. Today, people bearing the name Thewißen can be found in a number of countries throughout Europe including Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium.
The name is most commonly found in Germany, where it is more prevalent in certain areas of the country. A search of a genealogical website will reveal that it is most common in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, and then in Bavaria and Saxony. However, it is still less common than many other German surnames.
Thewißen is derived from the old Germanic word "Tiewisso" which roughly translates to "one who masters teaching." It is likely that the name was first given as an occupational surname to someone who was a teacher in the Middle Ages.
Thewißen is still a relatively uncommon name today, but in some circles, it is quite popular. For example, one well-known Thewißen family is found in the small village of Schidlo in Germany. This family is descended from Johann Thewißen, who was born on 14 January 1790.
While relatively uncommon, Thewißen is a name that is still found in Europe today and is given to those who are descended from the old Germanic heritage of teaching and instruction.
Variations of the surname Thewißen
Thewißen is a German surname derived from the words for house and to show, "Thöhen". This surname is often spelled with variations like Thoessen, Theessen, Theißen, Thoeßen, Theissen, and Theussen. It can also be found spelled as Thewissen or Thewessen. All of these variations describe one family line.
The Thewißen surname is found in the area around the city of Augsburg in Bavaria, Germany. In this region, the surname is pronounced with a “v” sound instead of a “w”. Therefore, it is usually written as Thößen, Theoßen, or Thöessen to reflect the pronunciation.
There are multiple variants of this surname found in different countries. In the Netherlands, for example, the predominant spelling is Theoessen, Thessen, or Theussen. In the United States and Canada, the spelling is often transposed to Thewessen or Thewysen.
Thewißen is a common surname in Germany, and many families bearing it can be traced back to the 18th century or earlier. It is also found in smaller numbers in countries across Europe, America, and Canada. Some families have even maintained the original spelling of Thewißen.
Today, many members of the Thewißen family are scattered around the world. People of this surname may not be aware that they are related, but the shared name is a testament to their common family heritage.
Famous people with the name Thewißen
- Hans Thewissen: renowned evolutionary biologist who has done extensive work in the field of paleontology.
- Jan Thewissen: Dutch neurologist and professor at Maastricht University who has published numerous works on neurology.
- Ernst Thewissen: German actor and director who was prominent in the 1950s and 60s.
- Gus Thewissen: an American illustrator and photographer who has created artwork for several major publications.
- Richard Thewissen: German operatic tenor and professor of voice at the University of Rostock.
- Eduard Thewissen: Dutch professional soccer player who currently plays for ADO Den Haag.
- Heinrich Thewissen: prominent figure in the German avant-garde movement; best known for his expressionist painting.
- Andrea Thewissen-Henning: Brazilian mathematician and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
- Markus Thewissen: Swiss soccer player and present captain of FC Basel.
- Denise Thewissen: Dutch classical soprano and opera actress.