Surname Thoenes - Meaning and Origin
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Thoenes: What does the surname Thoenes mean?
The last name Thoenes is of German and Dutch origin, derived from a variant of the Germanic surname “Thunen” or “Thuneman”, meaning “tenant”. The variant is found in the Dutch provinces of Gelderland, Utrecht, and South Holland, and elsewhere in the Netherlands. During the Middle Ages, family names were created to identify individuals and to allow them to legally and administratively distinguish themselves from their neighbours. It is believed that the origin of the Thoenes name can be traced back to Germanic and Dutch family names that were adapted to Dutch syntax during the Middle Ages.
In addition to its Germanic and Dutch roots, the Thoenes name is also present in Northern Europe and in the English-speaking world. The English Thoenes spelling appears to be derived from its Dutch spelling and is seen in England bearing the same spelling, as well as in North America.
The surname is associated with the Hanoverian-German “Thunen” families, a term that refers to a person, usually a peasant or tenant who has been released from dues and servitude and holds hereditary rights to land. Thunen was commonly used to refer to tenant farmers throughout the German provinces during the Middle Ages.
In summary, Thoenes is a German and Dutch surname originally derived from the medieval word “Thunen” and is believed to have been adopted by English-speaking descendants as an anglicized spelling. The root of the surname is associated with the Hanoverian-German Tenant families, who held hereditary rights to land.
Order DNA origin analysisThoenes: Where does the name Thoenes come from?
The surname Thoenes is an uncommon surname, most commonly seen in Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, it is most frequent in Westfalen, where the Thöne spelling is more prominent. In the Netherlands, it is found mainly in the provinces of Overijssel and North Brabant.
In the United States, the Thoenes name is not found in any high numbers. It is most common in Lehighton, a borough located in northern Pennsylvania and the place where first-generation immigrants first lived in the United States. In the 2000 census, 28 people listed Thoenes as their last name.
The 2000 census also revealed that only 4 people in the entire United States listed Thoenes as their last name in combination with one of three known first names: Joan, Raymond and John.
In Canada, the Thoenes surname is not particularly abundant either. However, it is more common in western Canada, especially Alberta - where it is found on 21 people in the 2006 Canadian Census.
Overall, the Thoenes surname today is an uncommon name with the highest concentrations being found in Germany, the Netherlands and Canada, while having a much smaller presence in the United States.
Variations of the surname Thoenes
The surname Thoenes is of German origin. It is derived from the personal name "Theo" and the suffix "-es" meaning "son of." It may also be spelled Thoennes, Thoennesz, Thoene, Thoenesen and Thoenessen. Variants include Thönes, Thoennes, Thöenessen and Thonnessen. In the Low Countries, this surname may be spelled Thoennesz or Thonnesz.
In Germany, the surname is often found spelled as Thönes or Thöne, while in the Netherlands it is often spelled as Thonessens or Thoonessens. In Denmark, the name is spelled Thoens. In some cases, the surname has been changed to Thonnes or Thoen.
In other countries, the surname is also found in spelling variations such as Thoenissen, Thoennesz, Thoen, Thoenesen, Thoenessen or Thonen. Alternate variants include Thoenis, Thoens, Theunes, Theunesen, Thoeines and Thienes.
Today, the surname Thoenes is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and the United States. In the U.S., the Thoenes surname is found predominantly in the states of Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, and Washington.
Famous people with the name Thoenes
- Elisabeth Thoenes: Elisabeth is an Austrian historian and social sciences professor at the University of Innsbruck. She specializes in the history of rural Austria and historical anthropology.
- Emile Thoenes: Emile is a Dutch actor, director, writer, and producer. He is best known for his starring roles in films such as Shooter and Up Above, and for his work on several TV series such as Enjoy the Ride and The Island.
- Anton Thoenes: Anton was an Austrian artist born in Lienz. He mainly produced portraits, still lifes, and landscapes. His most famous works were a series of paintings of the Austrian Alps in the 19th century.
- Agaath Thoenes: Agaath is a Dutch journalist and correspondent. She produces weekly reports for Dutch newspapers and magazines, and has also had several works published in major historical journals.
- Matilda Thoenes: Matilda was born in Amsterdam in 1681. She was a well-known poet during her time, and many of her works have been preserved in Dutch archives. She is considered by some to be the first Dutch poet to explore the language in a unconventional way, and to use emotional tones in her works.
- Sebastien Thoenes: Sebastien is a French-Canadian filmmaker and artist. He has earned acclaim for his documentaries on Indigenous and First Nation communities in Canada, and his work has been featured in major film festivals around the world.
- Charlotte Thoenes: Charlotte is a Swiss composer and pianist. She has been a member of various orchestras and toured with a wide range of ensembles, while also releasing several solo compositions to critical acclaim.