Surname Thieden - Meaning and Origin
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Thieden: What does the surname Thieden mean?
The surname Thieden is of German origin and has various meanings depending on where it is found. The most common meaning is 'son of Dietrich' or 'son of the people's ruler'. This is typically seen in areas of Germany or the Netherlands where the personal name 'Dietrich' was often used in the Middle Ages. Thieden may also be derived from the German word "Tiede" which translates to 'dear friend' or 'lovely person'.
The name is likely to have originated in the Middle Ages as a personal name, with it becoming a surname during the periodic population and place-name registerings carried out in various European countries during the 13th to 16th centuries. People living in rural or farming areas would take the name of their former occupation or of their father's occupation, and it gradually became part of their surname.
At present, it is estimated that there are over eleven thousand people with the surname Thieden living in the USA. In Germany, this number is calculated to be in a range of 8-11 thousand. The name is popularly found in the Netherlands too, but with a smaller share than in Germany.
For those with the Thieden surname, a coat of arms-style crest featuring a cross can often be seen in documents and on family heirlooms. This symbol works to denote faith and history for those named Thieden, while also carrying the message of strength and power.
Order DNA origin analysisThieden: Where does the name Thieden come from?
The last name Thieden is most commonly found in Germany today, with a majority of sightings in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Reports also suggest it is present in the Netherlands, Belgium, and other parts of Europe. Thieden likely originated from the Germanic god Tīwaz or Tîw, whose name means “sky,” indicating some link to the sky or gods. It may also have been derived from the words “thiud” (people, nation) or “thal” (valley).
Thieden is a less frequent last name; an estimated 4,500 people bear the name around the world today. It is most often found in the south of Germany, particularly near the Black Forest and Rhine area, as well as the larger cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, and Cologne. Other countries in which Thieden is present include The Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Generally speaking, the Scandinavian spelling of Thieden is also popular. In Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, for instance, the spelling is typically Thiedén, which is a popular enough name that it appears in the Swedish phone book.
Thieden is a very old last name; records from the 1300s show people with this name living in Germany. It is difficult to trace the origin of the name since such records don't appear until a few hundred years later. Thieden is usually an occupational surname, thought to have been established first by people that worked in a specific field, though with time its meaning has somewhat changed and now is found in various regions around the world.
Variations of the surname Thieden
The surname Thieden has been written and spelled in many different ways since it first appeared in records back in the 12th century. Examples of variant spellings include Thiedemann, Thiede, Thede and Diets. It is common for people to change the spelling of their surname when moving to a different country as the spelling of that particular surname is not always translatable to other languages.
The Thieden surname is of German-origin, and is derived from the old German word "diet,” meaning people or judge. It was initially an occupational surname and referred to a peasant or tiller of the soil, or a judge. These alternative spellings can be found all over the world, and the surname today is still present in its multiple variants.
In Germany, the variants 'Thiedman' or 'Thiemann'are most commonly found. In Scandinavia, the variants 'Tiedje' and 'Tjeda' have become widely used. The variant 'Thedens' is also found in Germany, and 'Theden' is additionally found in the Netherlands. Examples of further variants can also be found in other countries, such as: 'Tides' in England; 'Titres' in France; and 'Tedesco' in Italy.
In the United States, 'Thieden' has been Americanized to 'Tedroven', 'Tittroven', or 'Titrow' and the variant 'Tethraut' is also found. Examples of alternative surnames include a variety of possible spelling variations like 'Thida', 'Tyda', and 'Tydens' in Germany, and in East Prussia, 'Tidau' and 'Titau' are common.
Therefore, due to the large range of variants, spellings and surnames, over time the Thieden surname has been preserved, and can still be found all over the world today.
Famous people with the name Thieden
- Zach Thieden: Professional snowboarder and wakeboarder.
- Kristen Thieden: Emmy-nominated director and editor who has worked on shows such as the Netflix documentary film, Tiger King.
- William Thieden: Retired US Army Colonel and recipient of the Purple Heart.
- John Thieden: Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly between 1932 and 1936.
- Jim Thieden: American football coach who served as the head coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1999 to 2001 and the Kansas Jayhawks from 2002 to 2004.
- Eric Thieden: Television producer who worked on shows such as Everybody Loves Raymond, My Name Is Earl, and 2 Broke Girls.
- Don Thieden: American actor best known for his roles in The Hitcher and$3 Foot Ninja II.
- Ray Thieden: Canadian actor known for his roles in The Beachcombers and The Changeling.
- Michael Thieden: Award-winning painter and Illustrator who’s work has appeared in books, galleries, and magazines.
- Hank Thieden: Renowned jazz drummer who performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.