Surname Tessloff - Meaning and Origin
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Tessloff: What does the surname Tessloff mean?
The last name Tessloff is of German origin, derived from the surname Teßloff. This surname first appeared in records during the 13th century, originally spelled as “Teslop” in the Middle Low German language. Through the course of time, the spelling eventually altered and it became “Tessloff”.
The literal translation of the name “Tessloff” is “person with a winch”. This derives from the Middle Low German words “tezle” and “ofer”, meaning “to move something up” and “winch” respectively. This provides evidence to suggest that those originally with the surname Tessloff had occupations related to lifting or hauling of heavy objects.
In addition to those connected to professions, other records show that many people bearing the last name Tessloff were farmers in the medieval and early-modern era. Through this occupation, individuals associated with the surname had a significant impact on the development of agricultural land and trade within Europe.
The last name Tessloff is still prominent in Europe today. It can be found in an array of countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands and Poland. It is also common in the United States and Canada, with many families having emigrated there in more recent times after fleeing persecution or trials for political activity back in Europe.
Overall, the last name Tessloff is a unique heritage with great historical meaning. It is associated with strength and hard work, and has clearly stood the test of time.
Order DNA origin analysisTessloff: Where does the name Tessloff come from?
The last name Tessloff is most commonly found in Germany, where approximately 650 people bear this family name. The Tessloff name originally originated in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where most of today’s Tessloff’s can be found. The city of Mainz on the Rhine and the surrounding region are the most popular places to find Tessloff’s.
It is likely that the Tessloff name first appeared in Germany in the 11th or 12th century, when many German names were created and recorded. During this time, early German settlers began to adopt surnames to identify themselves and their families. Tessloff was likely derived from an old German word “tessloffa”, which could mean “tears” or “lamentation”. That said, the origin of the name Tessloff is not definitively known.
Though the Tessloff name can still be found in Germany, it is not common, and many Tessloff’s have since spread all around the world. There are many with the Tessloff surname in the United States, Canada, England, Spain and other countries overseas. A magnitude of Tessloff’s have left an indelible mark in the worldwide diaspora.
Variations of the surname Tessloff
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tessloff include Teßloff, Teßlaf, Tesloff, Teslaf, Teslaaf and Tesselhof.
The surname Tessloff originated from the region of North Germany and is believed to have derived from the Proto-Germanic name ‘Teslovo’, which meant ‘people of the path’. It could indicate that the originators of the name resided near a track or pathway within the area.
The earliest known documented instances of the surname date back to the 17th century. At this time, Christian Teßlaf was recorded as being baptised in 1653 at Hamburg, Germany. Later, in 1668 records show that a different Christian Teßlaf was recorded as having been married in the same region.
During the 19th century, the Teßloff name was increasingly spread around Europe as many members of the family migrated to different countries in search of a better life. Records of them as far afield as England, Sweden and France have been found.
It's likely that over the course of time localised spellings of the name would have also been adopted across different regions. The German spelling went through several variations between the 18th and 19th centuries, from Teßlaf to Teslaf and then Tessloff. By the mid-19th century the spelling ‘Tesselhof’ had become popular, and it is this name, alongside ‘Tesloff’ which remains recognised across Europe.
Over time, the Tessloff surname has continued to spread around the world, with it being primarily represented in countries such as the United States, Sweden and the UK.
Famous people with the name Tessloff
- Tom Tessloff: German football player and coach
- Jutta Tessloff: German theater director
- Elke Tessloff: German alpine ski racer
- Ingrid Tessloff: German alpine skier
- Guido Tessloff: German writer and publisher
- Holger Tessloff: German concept artist
- Volker Tessloff: German Biologist and penguin expert
- Heidrun Tessloff: German figure skater
- Annabelle Tessloff: German opera singer
- Nina Tessloff: German actress
- Nathalie Tessloff: German film and television actress
- World Tessloff: German classical pianist
- Stefanie Tessloff: German ballet dancer
- Max Tessloff: Austrian actor and director
- Fritz Tessloff: German painter