Surname Theyhsen - Meaning and Origin
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Theyhsen: What does the surname Theyhsen mean?
The last name Theyhsen is derived from an old Germanic personal name made up of two elements, thio meaning people and hsine meaning new. This was likely a name given to a newcomer or to someone who moved into a new town, symbolizing the idea of a “newcomer” or “stranger.” This name is quite common in Germany and can be found across much of Europe, including the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Belgium. It has various spellings, such as Teissen, Tasen, and Tiesen.
In the United States, the name is mostly associated with settlers from Germany who arrived during the 19th century. Those bearing the name often had occupations as farmers or carpenters, but some had risen to professional positions as teachers, lawyers, or physicians. The Theyhsen name has been connected to a large number of distinct family lines which became established in various parts of America. Currently, there is a Theyhsen Foundation based in Romania that works to provide educational and financial support for families with the Theyhsen surname.
The name Theyhsen is symbolic of the courage of those who left their homes in search of a better life. This is the spirit of a people determined to make a better life for their families, regardless of how often their name was changed or spelled differently.
Order DNA origin analysisTheyhsen: Where does the name Theyhsen come from?
Theyhsen is a German surname believed to have originated in the medieval tribal district of Thuringia, located in the east of modern-day Germany. The name is derived from the Old German word "theyh" meaning "people," and is thought to refer to an ancestral family's early inhabitants.
The present-day distribution of the Theyhsen surname suggests it is most common in the northwestern region of Germany, particularly in the regions of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg. Outside of Germany, the surname can also be found in the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States.
The Netherlands has seen a relative influx of the Theyhsen surname over the years, likely due to a large number of Dutch emigrants who relocated to the United States in the mid-19th century. This makes the surname quite common in the United States today, particularly in states with large German immigrant populations such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Iowa.
The oldest known records of the Theyhsen surname date back to the 1500s in Freistaadt, a former province of Prussia located near the East German border. In the following centuries, the surname spread to the southern regions of Germany and today can be found in most regions of the country. Despite its relatively common nature in modern-day Germany, Theyhsen is still considered to be a less common surname among those of German descent.
Variations of the surname Theyhsen
The variant spellings of Theyhsen are Theisen, Thiesen, Teisen, Taisen, Thaisen, and Tiehsen. The surname Theyhsen is of German origin and is thought to have originated from the personal name Theode, which means ‘people or tribe’. Its variations could have been created by pronunciation, regional dialects, and spelling.
It is suggested that the earliest occurrences of Theyhsen came from Rhineland to East Prussia in around the 13th century. This place is still known as ‘Theisen’ or ‘Theisenthal’, meaning the valley of the Thaydes.
The three most commonly derived surnames from Theyhsen are Theysen, Thießen, and Tiehsen. Theysen was derived from the location of the Theisen family in West Prussia. They originated from the village of Theisenau. Thießen was derived from the Thies family, who immigrated from East Prussia to Bremen, Germany in the 1700s. The third variant, Tiehsen, is believed to have come from the Meißner family in West Prussia, descended from Tiehsen who was a West Prussian family in the late 1700s.
Other related surnames include They, Theyse, Theys, Theizy, Theisse, Thessen, Teehs, Thies, Teegs, Thewes, and Theisen.
In addition, variations of the spelling have become popular around the world. In the United States, Theisen is the most common spelling, while in Canada, the spelling Thiesen is more popular. In Australia, many bearers of the surname have adopted the spelling Theissen. In German-speaking countries such as Belgium or Luxembourg, the surname is spelled Thysen. Other countries, such as Norway, have adopted the spelling Tiehsen.
Overall, despite variations in spelling, Theyhsen indicates the same origin. As a result, it is still seen as a common thread among the varying spellings and related surnames.
Famous people with the name Theyhsen
- Ryan Theyhsen: actor, currently playing a recurring role on the show American Housewife
- Maureen Theyhsen: a director and producer of motion pictures
- William Theyhsen: former member of the United States House of Representatives from New York
- Roberta Theyhsen: figure skater
- Michaela Theyhsen: fashion designer
- Tom Theyhsen: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
- Martin Theyhsen: landscape painter
- Tessa Theyhsen: singer-songwriter
- Tiffany Theyhsen: photographer
- Pauline Theyhsen: barrister and law professor
- Richard Theyhsen: film producer
- Mandy Theyhsen: rap artist
- Jennie Theyhsen: actress
- Marcus Theyhsen: travel photographer
- Katharine Theyhsen: poet
- Stephen Theyhsen: product designer
- Sarah Theyhsen: nature photographer
- Andrea Theyhsen: reality TV star and owner of a home décor line
- Tyler Theyhsen: video game designer and artist
- Matthew Theyhsen: professional basketball player