Surname Thoenniss - Meaning and Origin
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Thoenniss: What does the surname Thoenniss mean?
The last name Thoenniss is an occupational surname derived from the German words "Thon" meaning "lobster," and "niss" meaning "man." It is believed to be of German origin, and its earliest known records date back to the 1500s.
The Thoenniss name likely points towards a profession of fishing and catching lobsters, which would likely be done in the coastal regions of Germany. It is likely that the men who held this name were fishermen who used traditional fishing methods, including hand lines, traps, and nets, to catch their prey. The profession would have also involved selling their catch at local markets, extending the name of the Thoenniss family to other areas.
In modern times, the Thoenniss name is still found primarily in certain areas of Germany, as well as other countries of the world. Those that bear this surname still work within the fishing industry, either directly or indirectly, showing the strong connection that the family has with this profession and the sea.
Overall, the surname Thoenniss speaks of a deep history of fishing and selling lobsters that has been passed down the generations for centuries, making it a meaningful part of family heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisThoenniss: Where does the name Thoenniss come from?
The last name Thoenniss is most commonly found today within German-speaking regions such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. According to the popular genealogical website, MyHeritage, the Thoenniss family name is traditionally associated with Bavaria, a state of Germany. The name originates from the ancient and Medieval German “thun” which means “protect” or “guard.” It is possible that this original meaning gave rise to the occupational surname “Thoenniss” which may have been a reference to someone employed in a guard-like role, or a protector.
Today, the Thoenniss surname is still found within Germany but is also spreading furthers across Europe and the rest of the world. While the name is primarily associated within the context of German-speaking nations, there are also families of Thoennisses living within Canada, the United States, and surrounding countries. The presence of the name in the United States mostly relates to families who have immigrated in the last 100 years or so, seeking new beginnings and opportunities. It is more than likely this movement of people over the past century which has allowed the Thoenniss surname to spread to other countries, and therefore become more common around the world.
Variations of the surname Thoenniss
Thoenniss is a surname of Germanic origin derived from the word “Thunis” which means “thunder”. Its variants include Thoennessen, Thoenessen, Thuns, Thonissen, Thonnissen, Toneesen, Thuneesen, Teunissen, Thoonissen, and Thoennes.
Spellings of this surname include Thoennisen, Thoenesen, Thoennesen, Thoennissen, Thoneisen, Thonnisen, Tonisen, Thunisen, Teunisen, Thoonisen, and Thunessen.
The surnames of the same origin include Thunnesen, Thoenesen, Thunessen, Thoonen, Thoonis, Thunnis, Tonnesen, Thonasen, Thoennissen, Thoennesen, Teunnesen, and Thonnesen.
Often, this surname is wrongly spelled as Thoness, Thoeniss, Thonis, and Thonissen.
The spelling variants of this surname can be found in the records of Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States. The variation of the same origin is evident in the spelling of the surname in modern times. The surname is often mispronounced as “Thon-iss” and some families have even adopted a combination of the two different spellings.
The spelling variation of this surname reflects the fact that it is not easy to accurately convey its pronunciation in writing as the sound of “Tho” can alter depending on the region which it is found. It is often difficult for people to pronounce the surname correctly due to the double 'nn'.
The surname is not a common one, although is present in some parts of Europe and the United States. It is particularly common in the Netherlands and Germany, where it has been present for centuries.
Famous people with the name Thoenniss
- Alexa Thoennissen: German actress who is best known for her roles in films such as ‘Tatort’, 'Einsame Herzen' and 'Hotel Heidelberg'.
- Christoph Thoennissen: German cinematographer who has worked on films such as 'The Reader', 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas', and 'Anthropoid'.
- Jens Thoennissen: German actor who has acted in films such as 'The Silent Mountain' and 'Offenbarung 23'.
- Alexander Thoennissen: German actor who is best known for his roles in the television series 'Verrückt nach Meer' and 'Und oben drauf'.
- Ulrike Thoennissen: German actress who has appeared in films such as 'Lily's Story' and 'okeden'.
- Katrin Thoennissen: German actress who is best known for her roles in television series such as 'KDD: Kriminaldauerdienst', 'Verbotene Liebe', and 'Alles was zählt'.
- Thomas Thoennissen: German actor who has appeared in films such as 'The Slant', 'Amelie From Montmartre', and 'Stau'.
- Martin Thoennissen: German musician who is a member of the band Tempus.
- Kai Thoennissen: German actor who is best known for his roles in television series such as 'Der Alte' and 'Der Kommissar und das Meer'.
- Philipp Thoennissen: German composer and music producer who has worked on projects such as 'Sangue Azul' and 'Der Graf von Luxemburg'.