Surname Thiessen - Meaning and Origin
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Thiessen: What does the surname Thiessen mean?
The last name Thiessen is of German origin, originating from two main root words: 'thies', a personal name meaning 'people's ruler or leader', and 'sen', a suffix derived from the Germanic 'sen', which means 'son of'. Therefore, the overall meaning of the name Thiessen is 'son of the people's ruler or leader'.
The Thiessens can trace their family history to the early 1300s in East Prussia, and were of the ruling class. The name was likely used to denote a family of noble descent.
From its Germanic roots, the surname Thiessen spread to other countries in Europe, including the Netherlands and France. It can now be found in many European countries, including England and the United States. It is still most common in Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Austria.
The spelling of Thiessen is found in various forms, including Thiessen, Thiess, Thiesen, Tießen, Tiessen, and Tiesen. All of these are derived from the Germanic root words 'thies' and 'sen'.
The surname Thiessen carries with it a sense of history and nobility. It can be a way for current generations to trace their roots back to proud people who ruled their lands centuries ago. In modern times, it also provides a distinct identity that can be used to connect with other Thiessens around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisThiessen: Where does the name Thiessen come from?
The surname Thiessen is a German name of regional origin and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and parts of Europe known as Dutch-speaking Low Countries. It is also found in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Australia.
In the United States, most Thiessens are found in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, with large Thiessen populations in North Dakota and South Dakota. The surname is also found in a few other states such as Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, and California. The name is ranked 5,189th most common surname in America according to the US Census.
The earliest known occurrence of the Thiessen name was in the 13th century in what was then the German village of Thiesen, in present-day Lower Saxony, though other sources suggest the first Thiessen could have been from East or Westfalia.
In Canada, the surname is commonly used in Ontario, especially in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. There is a large number of Thiessens in Alberta and British Columbia too. In the western Canadian provinces, the majority of Thiessens are of German Mennonite descent.
Today, the Thiessen surname can be found all around the world, a physical testament to the family's travels and diverse background. Despite its many global appearances, the Thiessen name is an obvious reminder of German-Mennonite heritage.
Variations of the surname Thiessen
The surname Thiessen is an occupational surname familiarly associated with the Dutch, German, and Ukrainian languages, however the origin of the name likely originates from the Germanic ‘diet’ names which means ‘people’ or ‘council’.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Thiessen include Tiesen, Tieson, Teisen, Theison, Tyeson, Tyssen, Thiesen and Thyson.
The Dutch spelling of the surname Thiessen is Thysen, and may be pronounced as it is spelled (thigh-sen) or it may be pronounced as Tice-sen.
In German the language, this surname is spelled ‘Dietz’ or ‘Dietzman’ which comes from the same source as Thiessen/Thysen. The surnames ‘Teis’ and ‘Tyson’ are derived from the same etymology, and spelling variations are ‘Tessin’ and ‘Deitzman’.
In Ukrainian, the spelling is ‘Tyso’ or ‘Tiso.’ The surname may also be spelled as ‘Tysyona.’
The patronymic form of Thiessen is Thiessensson, and in Ireland it may be spelled ‘Tisen.’
Variations on the spelling of Thiessen, historically have had to do with the old Germanic script, as the letter ‘Y’ was interchangeable with the letter ‘I’ in terms of meaning. Thus, various spellings of the surname such as ‘Thieson’ and ‘Theison’ are seen in various regions.
The spelling of Thiessen has changed greatly over time. From the original ‘Dietzman’ to the more common ‘Thysen’ to the Ukrainian spelling of ‘Tysyona’, the name has gone through many iterations. Despite the evolution of the spelling, the meaning and origin remain the same – a Germanic name pertaining to a people or council.
Famous people with the name Thiessen
- Tiffani Thiessen: Actress known for roles on the television series Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills, 90210, Fastlane and White Collar.
- Richard Thiessen: Professor of political science at Trinity Western University in British Columbia, Canada.
- Jason Thiessen: Canadian Christian singer-songwriter who has won multiple GMA Covenant Awards.
- Mark Thiessen: American National Geographic photographer and writer who has worked extensively in Alaska.
- Lynne Thiessen: Canadian jurist appointed to the Court of Appeal of Manitoba in 2018.
- Kim Thiessen: Former mayor of Coaldale, Alberta, and former leader of the Alberta Party.
- Anet Thiessen: Dutch track cyclist who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Sam Thiessen: American artist and creator of the comic series The Sad Adventures of Tom Thiessen.
- Sandra Thiessen: Canadian curler who won four provincial championships and a Canadian silver medal in 1982.
- Al Thiessen: Former CFL football player who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.