Surname Thiems - Meaning and Origin
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Thiems: What does the surname Thiems mean?
The last name Thiems is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "Diems," which means "servant." This was a common occupational name for people who were employed as servants in the Middle Ages. It can also be an occupational name for a tax collector or tax farmer. In this context, it is derived from the Middle High German word "diemen," which means "to tax."
The surname Thiems is still used in various forms in Germany, France, and Denmark. It is also common in North America, especially in the United States and Canada. The Thiems surname chronicles back to at least the 1300s, when the Baronlogin von Diems family resided in what is now modern Germany. Many of today's Thiems families trace their lineage back to Adolf Thiems, an immigrant who moved from Prussia to the United States in 1888.
Today, the Thiems last name is still quite popular in its various spellings as it has been for centuries. It reflects a family's history – their occupations, personalities and culture. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of previous generations who worked to make a living in difficult times. Each Thiems family member carries a bit of the original German ancestor with them, continuing a long and rich heritage of service and devotion to family, community, and country.
Order DNA origin analysisThiems: Where does the name Thiems come from?
The last name Thiems is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking regions, including Austria and Switzerland. This last name is especially common in the northwest and eastern parts of Germany, where it is even considered one of the “most frequent surnames” according to genealogy records. Thiems is also found in other countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, France, Denmark, and Norway.
Outside of Europe, Thiems is found in the United States. The US Census Bureau lists the name as originating in Germany. Descendants of people who emigrated to the United States with the last name Thiems have settled in a variety of states, from Massachusetts to California.
The Thiems surname is thought to have originated in Thiemesland, a region located in the state of Lower Saxony in northwest Germany. There is evidence of Thiemesland being settled as far back as the 16th century. It is believed that people with the last name Thiems are descended from the early settlers in this region, and that the family has remained rooted there for centuries.
As a result of this long-standing connection to this particular region in Northwest Germany, it is no surprise that the last name Thiems is still most common in Germany today. This has been the case for centuries, and will likely remain so in the future.
Variations of the surname Thiems
The surname Thiems is a German-origin family name. It is a patronymic name, derived from the given names of the father of the initial bearer, usually indicated by the prefix “Thiem” or “Thim” or “Thieme”. It might be spelled as Theim, Thiem, Theimann, Thiemann, Thumm, Thiemling, Thimling, Theiming, Thieking, Thiemke, Thiemke, Thimke, Thieme, Thimmes, Thimus, Thummel, and Themme.
Although variants of this family name vary according to country, this surname is particularly common in Germany. People bearing the Thiems surname are found in the region of the Lower Hanseatic area, which comprises Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and northern Bavaria. Early immigrants with this surname include: Hans Thiems, who travelled to Baltimore in 1741; Caspar Thiems, who reached Alabama in 1837; and Christopher Thiems, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1849.
In addition, Thiems is also a spelling that occurs in areas of the Netherlands, mainly located in the northern province of Groningen, where the name comes from Dutch, rather than German, origin. Variations of the spelling Thiems family name in The Netherlands are Thiem, Theim, and Thijm.
Today, the Thiems surname mainly exists in Germany and The Netherlands. It is speculated that many people with this family name emigrated to countries such as United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in the Middle Ages and during the 19th Century due to socio-political reasons.
Famous people with the name Thiems
- Florian Thiems: German footballer currently playing for SSV Jeddeloh in the 3. Liga.
- Dionne Thiems: Actress, Model and Influencer who grew up in Germany.
- Heidi Thiems: Miss Germany 1989 and Miss Intercontinental later that same year.
- Josh Thiems: Professional racing driver and entrepreneur from the USA.
- Hank and John Thiems: Pioneering NASCAR drivers who competed during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Courtney Thiems: Former All-American softball player for University of California, Los Angeles.
- David Thiems: Professional tennis player with 2 ATP World Tour doubles titles.
- Michael Thiems: Olympic athlete who competed in the biathlon in the 2006 Winter Games.
- Robert Thiems: Classical music composer and conductor known for symphonies and musicals.
- Mark Thiems: Businessman and former CEO of the German-based pharmaceutical company Merckle AG.