Surname Toenjes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Toenjes: What does the surname Toenjes mean?
The surname Toenjes is of German origin, derived from the personal name Antonius, or Anthony. It is believed to have originated in Rhineland, in the northern part of the country.
The name Toenjes is derived from the medieval personal name Antonius, which in turn is derived from the Latin word "antonius" meaning "beyond price". It was commonly found as a first name throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, as it was a popular name at that time.
In modern German, Toenjes is usually written as Tönnies, Töns, Tonges, or Tunes. These variations of the name have led some people to believe Toenjes is of Flemish or Dutch origin, however this is not the case.
In Germany, names that end with en or es are usually derived from first names or nicknames rather than from a coat of arms or family crest. That is why it is highly likely that the name Toenjes is derived from the medieval name Antonius, which in turn is derived from the Latin word "antonius".
Many variations of the name can be found throughout Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States, with Toenjes being the most common spelling. The variations have given rise to a variety of interpretations of the meaning of the name, but it is generally accepted that it is derived from the personal nickname Anton or Antonius.
Order DNA origin analysisToenjes: Where does the name Toenjes come from?
The surname Toenjes is a part of Germanic and Dutch heritage, and is believed to have originated in the Netherlands. Most people who bear the surname today are located in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. In Germany, it is more commonly found in areas that border the Netherlands, and especially in the Rhineland-Palatinate region.
In the United States, the surname has been reported in various states across the country, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin. However, the most commonly reported states to find the surname Toenjes are Michigan and North Dakota.
The last name is most commonly found today in the northwestern corner of the Michigan state called the Upper Peninsula. Many of the areas in the Upper Peninsula were settled by German and Dutch immigrants, and as a result, many common and popular surnames were brought to these new areas. Today, the name Toenjes in this region has been passed down for generations and has become a common sight. It’s estimated that in that area alone, there are over 3,000 people with the last name Toenjes.
Other areas where the name is commonly found today includes Dutch and German cities or towns in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It’s possible to trace the genealogy of the Toenjes surname in these countries through ancestry records. In the United States, the surname can still be found in the upper regions of Michigan and North Dakota.
Variations of the surname Toenjes
The surname Toenjes is of German origin and has a variety of spellings and variants. These include Tonjes, Tönjes, Toonjes, Tönnes, Tonnes, Tones, Tonis, Toennes, Toens, Toenis, and Toenen.
The surname originated from the Old German words ‘toen’ and ‘je’. ‘Toen’ means village and ‘je’ is a diminutive suffix meaning little, making the name a literal translation of ‘little village’. Other variants derive from the words ‘ton’ and ‘es’ which combine to give ‘Es-ton’ meaning an estate or farm in the German language.
The spelling of the surname reflects local dialect due to migration of people across Europe. Toenjes and its variants have spread to many different countries including Holland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Luxembourg, and Belgium.
Surnames with the same origin but different spellings of Toenjes include Thoen, Thon, Thoon, Thoenis, Thonis, Thoene, Thojes, Thojen, Thorner, Doener, Thaner, Tuen, Thun, Doen, and Thimmes.
Variations of the spelling of the surname Toenjes have appeared in regions that owe their cultural heritage to Germany. Variations on the spelling may lead to different pronunciation but all of them share the same origins.
Famous people with the name Toenjes
- Dave Toenjes: former Major League Baseball player
- Barry Toenjes: former American football player
- Loren Toenjes: American professional golfer
- Glenn Toenjes: father of the professional wrestler and former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura
- Andy Toenjes: professional baseball player
- Todd Toenjes: professional soccer player
- Tom Toenjes: American musician and songwriter
- Bob Toenjes: award-winning organist
- Joe Toenjes: former American politician
- Kim Toenjes: former professional tennis player
- Mary Toenjes: American psychologist
- Paul Toenjes: American politician
- Terrance Toenjes: former NBA basketball player
- Cara Toenjes: American television producer
- Brandi Toenjes: multi-faceted American business owner and entrepreneur