Surname Thönnißen - Meaning and Origin
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Thönnißen: What does the surname Thönnißen mean?
The last name Thönnißen is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old German phrase “thonnissen,” which roughly translates to “twin.” The name is thought to have been a reference to a pair of twin brothers who were born in the same family, thus earning the name.
Historically, the name Thönnißen was used by families of various social standings, from small peasants to large landowners. It has been in circulation since at least the 16th century, when it was found in records in the regions now occupied by France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. A few centuries later, the surname has spread across the globe, primarily to countries that were once under German rule.
Today, there are an estimated tens of thousands of people across the world with the surname Thönnißen, and the name is thought to be relatively common in the regions of Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States of America. Individuals with this surname are known for their strength, intelligence, and enthusiasm, characteristics which could have been passed down from one generation to another for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisThönnißen: Where does the name Thönnißen come from?
The last name Thönnißen is primarily common today in Germany. In particular, it is most prevalent in the northern German state of Lower Saxony, where more than 500 people with the surname call it home. It is also relatively common in the northern states of Bremen, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein. Families with this surname can also be found in other parts of Germany, including Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, but in smaller numbers.
As one of the oldest recorded surnames in Germany, Thönnißen originated from a place called Thonhausen in the Harz Mountains region of Lower Saxony. The family is believed to have taken the name from the location. The earliest recorded appearance of this surname dates back to 1330.
Outside of Germany, Thönnißen is not as common. It can be found in the Netherlands, as well as Denmark, Sweden, and the United States. While the numbers are smaller, records do exist of both first and second wave German immigrant families carrying the surname.
Thönnißen also appears in records from countries like Canada, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Serbia. Again, these numbers are much smaller compared to Germany.
Overall, the last name Thönnißen is most common in Germany today, as it originated from there many years ago. It is not as common outside of Germany, but there are still a few families that share the surname. Regardless, it is an interesting name that can be traced back to a single origin in lower Saxony.
Variations of the surname Thönnißen
The surname Thönnißen is of Germanic origin. It is a variation on the name Thönnissen, which is a Low German form of the more traditional spelling of Thönnesen. The spelling of Thönnißen is also seen in Switzerland and in Sweden, particularly in the regions of Värmland, Scania, Dalarna, Småland, and Halland. In the United States, Thönnissen is usually spelled Thöenissen, Thöenessen, Thönnissen, Thömnesen, or Thonnesen. In addition, rare variants of the Thönnißen surname include Thöenessen, Thonessen, Thonessson, Thönessen, and Thonnissen.
In Germany, Thönnißen is typically a patronymic surname, meaning that it was commonly originally derived from the first name of the individual's father. However, given its Low German spelling, there is also a strong possibility that it is derived from the word “thaune”, which means “willow”. The spelling of Thonnessen is also derived from this Low German word and is usually seen in Northern Germany.
Surnames that are related to Thönnißen include Thönis, Thönies, Toneis, Tonnessen, Thoenisse, Thoneysen, Thonninen, and Thönneß. The spelling of Thönnißen may also be seen in the variant forms Thoenissen, Thoenesen, Thoenessen, and Thoenisson.
At its foundations, the name Thönnißen has strong house connections to the gothic/theological/house gems cultures of the Germanic regions. Its variant spellings therefore still connect this surname to the long and proud origins of its originators. As such, the Thönnißen surname can still be recognised within many cultures in Europe, Scandinavia, and the United States, both as a surname and as a variant spelling.
Famous people with the name Thönnißen
- Rudolf Thönnißen: He was a German art historian and archaeologist who specialized in the study of Roman archaeology.
- Alexander Thönnißen: He was a German Doctor of Medicine and philosopher who was the first recorded person to use the term "Entheogen" to denote a type of plant or drug used for religious or mystical experiences.
- Hartmut Thönnißen: He is a German chess grandmaster who won the German Chess Championship in 2003.
- Richard Thönnißen: He is a German former professional basketball player who played as a guard and forward for several clubs in Germany.
- Helmut Thönnißen: He was a German politician and a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
- Bille Thönnißen: She is a German actress, singer and presenter who became popular in Germany after her television show Die Bille Show.
- Angela Thönnißen: She is a German businesswoman and lawyer who currently serves as the head of legal and corporate affairs for Global Spirits Germany.
- Jonas Thönnißen: He is a German professional footballer who plays for Romanian side Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe in the Liga I.
- Stefan Thönnißen: He is a German television presenter and actor who is best known for his roles in the German TV series Alarm für Cobra 11: Die Autobahnpolizei and Die Rettungsflieger.
- Sophie Thönnißen: She is a German film producer and director who is best known for her documentary film Of Fathers and Sons which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019.