Surname Tissen - Meaning and Origin
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Tissen: What does the surname Tissen mean?
The surname Tissen is of Dutch origin and is derived from the word "tijm". The literal translation of this word is "thyme" or a herb associated with the Lamiaceae family. It was most likely first used as an occupational name for workers or dealers of these herbs.
The history of the Tissen surname dates back to 12th century Holland. It is believed to be one of the oldest recorded last names from that region and was most likely first used by those in a role of farming and herb gathering.
Those with the surname Tissen today can trace their lineage back to Holland, though the origin of the name is uncertain. The meaning of the name is generally accepted as being derived from "tijm", or "thyme".
The name Tissen has been used as a family surname in Holland and its surrounding regions since the 12th century. For centuries the name has been associated with those of Dutch descent, with its present-day occupants likely originating from a myriad of ancestral stories and customs.
Despite the name's long historical association, it is still relatively uncommon in modern day countries such as the United States and Canada. Those with the surname Tissen are part of a small population of individuals who have retained the surname and its origin stories for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisTissen: Where does the name Tissen come from?
The last name Tissen is most common in the German-speaking parts of Europe today, especially in Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg. It also crops up in parts of the Netherlands, Switzerland, and northern France.
The origin of the name is believed to be a patronymic one derived from the Germanic personal name Theodric. It is likely that it was first used in medieval Germany before making its way north into the Dutch-speaking Low Countries of today. The name then spread out across Europe as the borders of the continent shifted throughout history.
As to its meaning, experts believe it could refer to someone who lived near a thistle patch, or someone who wears a shirt or shirt with thistles embroidered on it. This meaning could be connected to the nicknames given to ancient Germanic warriors, such as "Thistle-wearer."
Tissen is also known to have been adopted as a surname by some Ashkenazi Jews in the 18th and 19th centuries, although the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Today, the name still has some presence in its traditional heartlands: In Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, it can be found in phone books and toponymic databases. However, its presence has declined as more people have moved away from their traditional rural homes in search of employment, education, and a higher quality of life.
Variations of the surname Tissen
The surname Tissen is of Dutch and German origin and has various spellings and variants including Tissen, Tissin, Tizn, Tiszen, Tizzen, Tizan, Tessin and Tisson. It originated as a habitational name from Tisingen or similar placenames of places in Germany.
In the Netherlands, variations of the surname were found in areas such as Overijssel and Gelderland as well as in Europe generally. In Denmark, variants of the surname were found in Aalborg and Samsø. In Germany, Tissen was found in large numbers in the Den Haag region.
Tissen was also found in Luxembourg and Wallonia, and in French regions, variations of the name appeared such as Tison, Tessin, Tizon and Tesin. In Switzerland, variants of the surname Tissen are found in North Eastern French-speaking Switzerland, and an area around the towns of Bellinzona and Lugano in Southern Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Variations of Tissen also appear in found in areas in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and parts of Poland. Some of the variations of the surname found in those regions include Tecton, Tison, Tessen, Tissin, Tezson, Tezne, Tezso, and Tece. Variation of the surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, including Malta, Sicily and regions such as Portugal, Austria and Hungary.
Famous people with the name Tissen
- Maarten Tissen (born 1958), a Dutch costume designer, actor, and artist
- Jeffrey Tissen (born 1989), an American singer and songwriter
- Nadja Tissen (born 1983), a German football striker
- Sascha Tissen (born 1977), a Dutch comedian, actor, and television presenter
- Bol Tissen (born 1960), a Dutch cartoonist
- Ludwig Tissen (1889–1958), a German composer, musician, and conductor
- Mark Tissen (1955–2009), an American art director and production designer
- Patrick Tissen (born 1992), a Dutch footballer
- Mark-Jan Tissen (born 1974), a Dutch politician
- Tom Tissen (born 1971), a Dutch television presentor and radio DJ