Surname Terness - Meaning and Origin

Terness: What does the surname Terness mean?

The last name Terness is believed to have Scandinavian origins, likely derived from the word “terr” or “thorr”, which both mean thunder. This would indicate that originally, the surname may have been associated with a family of Norse or Norwegian descent.

The surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who had either a loud voice or was prone to outburst of temper, which could also be why it is associated with thunder. It is believed that the Terness surname first appeared in the 1500s in Norway, and by the early eighteenth century, the Terness family had begun to spread out throughout parts of Germany, Ireland, and England. Evidence of the surname can be found in Continental Europe, as well as the United States.

The Terness surname is still found today in countries all over the world. In the United States, the Terness surname has undergone slight changes including “Ternes” and “Trens”, but the original meaning and story of the surname is still intact. The last name Terness has been passed on for hundreds of years, from one generation to the next, and in many cases has been associated with some form of thunder.

Terness: Where does the name Terness come from?

The last name Terness is a rare surname today, and most commonly associated with Jewish families of Eastern European descent. It is believed to be an Anglicised version of the Jewish name Tarnes, which originated from a place/region known as Podolia in the 18th century.

The name has since spread out to other parts of the world, as many families with the surname have immigrated from Eastern Europe to North America, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, evidence of the getting of the surname can be found as far back as the 1800s. Later records have been found in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, and Indiana.

In the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, the surname is surprisingly less common. There are much fewer records of people with the surname Terness, compared to those who have immigrated to the United States.

Today, Terness is still a rare surname, although it has been found in a handful of countries around the world. Despite it's limited global presence, it is still a name to be proud of, and a reminder of the global Jewish diaspora.

Variations of the surname Terness

The surname Terness is derived from the Old Norse personal name Thorsteinn. There are various variants of the surname, including Thorsteinsson, Thorstein, Thorstensen, Tornnes, Thorstensson, Tornesson, and Thorstvedt.

Thorstein is the most common spelling of the name and is the form used in Norway. This variation of the surname is found in the coastal regions of western Norway, particularly in Western Trondelag, Rogaland and Hordaland. This form of the surname may also be found amongst Icelandic families.

Thorstensen is a Danish form of the surname, which has migrated to Norway, primarily in eastern communities. This form of the surname is also found in Germany.

Thorsteinsen and Thorsteinson are Norwegian variations of the surname. Thorsteinson is especially common in the western counties of Oppland and Hedmark, and has spread to other parts of the country.

Thorstvedt is the rarest form of the surname, found primarily amongst Norwegian American immigrants.

Tornnes is a shortened form of the name, found in the same parts of Norway as Thorstein and Thorstensen. It is found amongst families in the area of Trondheim Fjord, as well as in Norway's northern regions.

Tornesson and Thorstensson are Swedish forms of the surname. Tornesson is found mainly in the Sodermanland region of Sweden, while Thorstensson is found in the Norrbotten and Vasterbotten counties.

Famous people with the name Terness

• Malena Terness: is an American actress and model, currently residing in Los Angeles. She is best known for her appearances in films such as Anti-Matter and X: First Class.
• Lynn Terness: is an American Olympic diver who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.
• Marcus Terness: is a former American football player who played college football for Notre Dame. He was selected in the 11th round of the 1976 NFL draft.
• Jens Terness: is a Swedish chess grandmaster and member of the Swedish Chess Federation since 2001. He is the current Swedish national champion and won the Swedish Champion's Trophy in 2011.
• Brian Terness: is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is the co-founder of Bessemer Venture Partners, one of the largest venture capital firms in the world.
• Christina Terness: is an American film, television, and theatre actress from Los Angeles, California. She is best known for her roles in The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.
• Ivar Terness: is a Norwegian actor and director, best known for his roles in reaction films such as Zombie Nightmare and Primal God.
• Andrew Terness: is an Australian sprint motorbike racer. He won the Australian TT Championship in 1997 and has competed in the World Superbike Championship.
• Kay Terness: is an American artist and sculptor, renowned for her abstract metal sculptures and installations.
• Renee Terness: is an editor and writer did extensive coverage on the rise of the Gastronaut movement, writing for The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Other surnames

TerneddeTernesTerney