Surname Treece - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Treece: What does the surname Treece mean?
The surname Treece has a rather uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "treowce," meaning "tree trunk." It was most likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent tree or in a heavily wooded area. Alternatively, it could also potentially be a metonymic occupational name for a woodcutter, someone who utilizes tree trunks for various purposes. However, any specified meaning is challenging to determine due to the lack of written documentation. The spelling of Treece might have changed over centuries, making its lineage and specific local origins difficult to trace. It is worth noting that the distribution of individuals bearing the Treece last name is mostly situated in the United States, according to public records.
Order DNA origin analysisTreece: Where does the name Treece come from?
The last name Treece is less common now than it was in the past, but it can still be found in several countries around the world. In the United States, the name Treece is most common in states in the southeastern part of the country, particularly Arkansas, which is home to the highest concentration of people with the surname. In the UK, the name is most commonly found in Yorkshire and is especially common in the towns and cities of Hull, Sheffield, Leeds, and York. Treece is also relatively common in Australia, primarily in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. Finally, other countries where the name Treece can be found include Canada, Germany, France, and Norway.
Given the geographic diversity of the name Treece, it is likely that the name has multiple origins. In many cases, this could be due to people with the name migrating to different countries or regions throughout the centuries. Although the name is less common today than it was in the past, those who carry the surname are still connected to a centuries-old heritage.
Variations of the surname Treece
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Treece can include Treese, Trice, Trece, Trees, Trease, Triese, Tryce, Triase, Tryes, Trecey, Treacy, and Tresy.
The Treece surname is of English, Scottish, and Irish origin. It is thought to derive from the Middle English word “treis”, meaning “pre-eminence, excellence”. The surname was likely first held by people who were established in their respective communities and able to rise in standing.
The Treece surname has several spelling variations, including Treese, Trice, and Trece. It is thought that these variations were formed when an official record keeper, such as a priest or scribe, misspelled the name. It is also possible that the variation arose when a man and women named Treece married and the children adopted their mother’s surname as a middle name.
The Trease and Triese variants of the Treece surname are thought to have stemmed from recited Middle English words, such as Treece, Trees, and Trecches. These words used to mean “one who dizzies” or “one who spins”. This may refer to artisans of the time who specialized in spinning threads and yarn.
The Tryce and Triase spellings of the Treece surname are derived from the Old French word “tricer”, meaning “to sew, mend, patch, or make”. Some people with the Treece surname likely earned a living as seamstresses or tailors at some point in their family’s history.
The Treecey, Treacy, and Tresy spellings of the Treece surname are of uncertain origin, but may be derived from Middle English words or a combination of French and English words. The variants of Treece further demonstrate the evolution of language in Europe.
Famous people with the name Treece
- Syd Treece: American jazz bordering on pop who was singing as early as 1951, released a single called 'My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You' in 1957 and had other hits over the years.
- Nick Treece: American actor, who was part of shows such as 'Spin City' and 'Cold Case'. He's also voiced characters in movies such as 'Batman Gotham Knight' and 'Kung Fu Panda'.
- Bessie Treece: American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was an original cast member of Langston Hughes' play 'Don't You Want To Be Free?' and has played the lead role in various musical plays, including 'Hair' on Broadway.
- Tyson Treece: An outfielder in Major League Baseball, currently playing for the Los Angeles Angels.
- Barry Treece: British former footballer, who played for clubs such as West Bromwich Albion and Everton during his career. He also served as a manager for some time, including at the Cyprus national team.
- Freddy Treece: American former stock car racing driver who raced from 1969 to 1977. He earned a career total of 39 wins, including 14 Winston Cup victories.
- Michael Treece: American former basketball player who played college ball for the University of Iowa and professionally in the NBA's summer league.
- Clark Treece: British cricketer, who played thirteen first-class matches for Warwickshire between 2011 and 2016.
- Andrew Treece: Canadian-born American-British soldier, who served in the Coldstream Guards and the British Army's Special Air Service. He was the first American to receive the Victoria Cross for actions in the Korean War.
- Patrick Treece: British actor, who has appeared in various films and stage shows. His most notable works include playing the role of Mr. Ward in the 2006 film 'The Queen'.