Surname Thyssen - Meaning and Origin

Thyssen: What does the surname Thyssen mean?

Thyssen is a surname of German origin. The name is derived from the Old German 'thius' or 'thegn' which means 'servant'. Therefore, Thyssen is essentially interpreted as 'descendant or son of the servant'.

It is a famous surname in Europe, particularly due to the association with the wealthy Thyssen family who established the Thyssen steel and arms empire in Germany. From the late 19th to mid-20th century, they were one of the wealthiest families in Germany. Notable figures of the family include August Thyssen, founder of the Thyssen steelworks, his sons Fritz Thyssen and Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, and his granddaughter Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, a Spanish philanthropist and art collector. Today, Thyssenkrupp AG, a multinational conglomerate with significant focus on industrial engineering and steel production, is a legacy of the Thyssen empire.

It's important to note, not every individual with the Thyssen surname is necessarily related to this affluent business family, given the common nature of this surname in Germany and surrounding regions.

Thyssen: Where does the name Thyssen come from?

Today, the last name Thyssen is most commonly found in Germany, although it can be found elsewhere. It originates from a Belgian industrialist family who founded ThyssenKrupp AG, one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe.

The surname continues to be found mainly in Germany, as a result of the family’s prominence in German industry. Count August Thyssen is often credited with laying the foundations of one of Germany’s first steel factories. His vast wealth allowed him to acquire a number of other businesses and expand the family’s influence across various industrial sectors.

The family has had a strong presence in Germany for over a hundred years, and their reach is further extended through their many charitable endeavours. The Thyssen foundation seeks to fund and promote research in the fields of art, culture and science, while the Thyssen museums invite visitors to explore the history and heritage of the family.

The last name Thyssen can also be found in the Netherlands, a result of Count August Thyssen’s son, Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, emigrating from Germany to the Netherlands. The surname can also be found in Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Europe, as well as elsewhere in the world among Thyssen descendants who have emigrated over the years.

Variations of the surname Thyssen

The surname Thyssen can be spelled in a few different ways, and it also has some variants and other surnames of the same origin.

Thyssen is usually spelled with one 's' at the end, though some variants could have two 's's. These variants or spellings are Thysen, Thysenn, Tessen and Thiessen. The Dutch variants or even spellings are variants and/or spellings of the surname that were created in the Dutch language. Variants and spellings like Thies, Thijsen, Thijs, Dießen, Dießmann, Tiesing, and Tießen are all related to the surname Thyssen.

Thyssen is an occupational surname which originated in Germany, usually spelled "Thyssen". It means "roofsmith" which then also developed to be an occupational or job title for a person who sells or sews "Thyse", which was a type of felt used for covering buildings or tents.

The surname Tessen is a shortened form of the same occupational surname, which meant "to weave felt". This was a very common practice and the surname has spread through different countries, especially countries in Europe.

The surname Thies is another variant of Thyssen. This variant is mostly found in the Netherlands, as it represented the pronunciation of the name as it was written in that language, and has since spread to other countries and continents, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and Latin America.

Other surnames of the same origin include Thijsen, Thijssen, Dießen, Dießmann, Tiesing, and Tießen. All these variants and spellings have the same origin, and all trace their roots back to the occupational surname Thyssen.

Famous people with the name Thyssen

• Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon et Impérfalva (business magnate)
• Baroness Francesca von Thyssen-Bornemisza (socialite)
• Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza (business magnate)
• Baroness Carmen Cervera (nee Thyssen-Bornemisza) (former Miss Spain)
• Lita del Rio de la Thyssen (Spanish philanthropist)
• Baron Carl Thyssen (industrialist)
• Baron Walther von Thyssen (German entrepreneur)
• Nina von Cramm (nee Thyssen) (German entrepreneur)
• Baron Charles von Thyssen-Bornemisza (business magnate, art collector)
• Baron Joannes Thyssen (businessman, entrepreneur)

Other surnames

Thyssens