Surname Tilsner - Meaning and Origin
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Tilsner: What does the surname Tilsner mean?
The last name Tilsner is derived from the Germanic words "tilo" and "senior", meaning "son of Tilo". It is a German occupational name, as was common in the Middle Ages. The root of the name, "tilo", refers to a timber merchant who sold and worked with timber for building and construction.
In the Middle Ages, the name Tilsner was primarily found in northern Germany, especially around the region of Brandenburg. Records from the 15th century show that many families around this region had taken on the name Tilsner, likely indicating they were all related.
In modern times, the name has spread to other countries, with people bearing the name living all over the world. It is still most commonly found in Germany though, and is considered a surname of some prestige.
The meaning of Tilsner thus suggests a legacy of hard-working and crafty timber merchants in northern Germany, and a proud tradition of service and craftsmanship that still lives on today.
Order DNA origin analysisTilsner: Where does the name Tilsner come from?
The last name Tilsner is most commonly found in North America, particularly in the United States. This surname is believed to have originated in Germany, with the family moving from Germany to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Specifically, Tilsner is found at the highest rate in Wisconsin, a state settled predominantly by German immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century. It is also found in states such as Minnesota and Iowa, both of which are neighbors to Wisconsin and had large German migrations in that same timeframe. Within Wisconsin, the highest concentration of Tilsner can be found in the Milwaukee area, including counties such as Waukesha, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, and Washington.
Tilsner is also found in other countries around the world. The countries that have the largest population of Tilsner are Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is likely that descendants of the German Tilsners who immigrated to the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s are responsible for the spread of the name to these countries during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Tilsner is not a very common name globally, but it is recognizable in areas of central and northern North America, with much of the population concentrated in the Midwest. The growth of the Tilsner name is primarily connected to German immigration and the settlement of that population in the United States.
Variations of the surname Tilsner
The surname Tilsner has various variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. The most commonly found variants are Tilzner, Tilznor, and Tilzer. These variations of the surname are believed to have derived from the German noun ‘tilz,’ which means ‘spade’ or a ‘trowel’ and is thought to have been used by people involved in construction, such as masons and bricklayers.
The spelling of the surname can be expressed as Tilzer, Tilzner, Tilznor, and Tilseer. Variants originating from the Netherlands include Tillseer, Tilzeer, Tilsser, and Tilsseer. Common surnames with the same origin are Tilz, Tilze, and Till.
Aside from Germany and the Netherlands, the surname is also commonly found in countries with significant populations of German-speaking individuals, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, the surname can be found in most states with German descendants, especially in Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois.
Variations of the Tilsner surname throughout history can provide valuable insights into an individual’s family background and lineage. For instance, those with French roots are likely to bear the surname Tillet, while those with Italian origins are likely to carry the variant Thilson. In addition to the variations already listed, it is important to note that the surname has evolved and adapted to additional languages and countries over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Tilsner
- Barry Tilsner: actors with film credits from the 1950s and 1960s, including two Elvis Presley movies.
- Alvin Tilsner: Russian-American business executive, philanthropist, and philanthropic leadership awardee.
- Sam Tilsner: French actor best known for playing roles in classic films such as Rififi.
- Edward Tilsner: Soviet chemical engineer and a member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
- Steven Tilsner: an American actor, writer, producer, and lecturer, known for his work in animation, film, and television.
- Michael Tilsner: a German-born businessman and founder of immigrant venture capital firm New York Capital Markets LLC.
- Harvey Tilsner: Mendelsohn architect in charge of designing synagogues and other public places in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Tomás Tilsner: Chilean entrepreneur and rally racing co-founder of the CODESUR Rally Championship in 1998.
- Ruth Tilsner: noted philanthropist from Silver Spring, Maryland, and lifelong advocate for cancer research.
- Irving Tilsner: co-founder of JJT Consulting, a well-regarded engineering firm specializing in regulatory compliance.