Surname Thiels - Meaning and Origin
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Thiels: What does the surname Thiels mean?
The surname Thiels is of German and Dutch origin and was originally found in North Germany. It is derived from the Middle Low German word "thiel", which means lord and master.
The Thiels surname is derived from a combination of two words: “thal”, meaning valley, and “heil”, meaning healthy or holy. The combination of these two words conveys strength through fertility or a full and well-defined sense of place. In other words, the family name may have been given to a group of people who lived and worked together in a prosperous and plentiful valley.
The Thiels family name is believed to be one of the oldest in Germany and is often associated with a sense of honor and respect. This family was known for its strength and commitment to justice and fairness. Over time, the name has come to be associated with loyalty, perseverance, and courage.
Today, the Thiels name is still used in Germany and the Netherlands. However, members of the trade, business, political, and military professions are the most common bearers of this surname. In the United States, the Thiels name is found primarily in states with German-speaking populations, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Additionally, some families have immigrated to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, many of whom are descended from Dutch settlers.
The Thiels name has been passed down through many generations and is a reminder of the powerful heritage of a time gone by. This legacy of strength and courage are remembered today and are an fundamental part of the family’s identity.
Order DNA origin analysisThiels: Where does the name Thiels come from?
The last name Thiels is most common in the region of Northern Germany and the Netherlands, and is particularly prevalent along the border between the two nations. It originates from the Germanic language, derived from "diel" which meant determined. It was popularized during the Middle Ages as a surname given to someone who was very determined.
The earliest record of the last name Thiels was in 1323 in Westfalia, Germany. It was a common name among the peasantry in the Middle Ages, and it spread to other parts of Germany and Europe in the centuries that followed. In addition to Germany, it is common in Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norwegia and the United States.
The name Thiels is still popular today, especially in Northern Germany. According to World Names Public Profiler, there are over 8,000 people in Germany with the last name Thiels, with the largest concentrations in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. In the Netherlands, the last name Thiels is also relatively common, with more than 2,500 people bearing the name, most of whom live around the provinces of Gelderland, North Brabant and Utrecht.
In the United States, the last name Thiels is mostly of German origin from immigrants who came in the 19th century. It can also be found in Wisconsin and Minnesota, where many German immigrants settled during the 19th century. According to Ancestry.com, there are more than 3,000 Americans with the last name Thiels, with the greatest concentration in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Montana.
Overall, the last name Thiels can be found throughout Northern Germany, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the United States. It is a reminder of the influence of Germanic culture and language and of the mobility of its inhabitants during the Middle Ages and beyond.
Variations of the surname Thiels
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Thiels are:
1. Tiel
2. Thiele
3. Thiell
4. Thieles
5. Thieleman
6. Thielen
7. Thielmann
8. Thieler
9. Teil
10. Teile
11. Teileman
12. Teilen
13. Teilemann
14. Teiler
15. Thial
16. Tyle
17. Tylman
18. Tyll
The surname Thiels is generally all derived from the German-language name Thiel, itself of proto-Germanic origin and likely derived from the word "thiudisk," which means belonging to the people, a member of the people - in other words, a tribe. The variations of Thiel include the Dutch Tiel, the Flemish Thiele, Thiell, Thieles, Thieleman, Thielen and Thielmann, and the German forms of Teil, Teile, Teileman, Teilen, Teilemann and Teiler. It is also found as Thial and Tyle, Tylman and Tyll.
All of these variants and spellings of the surname Thiels once arose as a result of an ancestor of the time or a clerk who mis-spelt or interpreted the name differently. In addition, slight variations in the spelling of a name occurred even when a surveyor or a parish clerk noted the spelling correctly. Over time, the spelling of many names became simplified, and variants of the original spelling became frozen into hereditary surnames. As a result, many different spellings of the surname Thiels developed over the years.
Famous people with the name Thiels
- Peter Thiel: A German-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and hedge fund manager.
- Lauren Thiel: A famed makeup artist, beauty director, and influencer from Los Angeles.
- Niklas Thiel: A German actor best known for his performance in the movie Good Bye, Lenin!
- Elke Thiel: A German fashion designer, owned two fashion labels Elke Thiel Design, as well as Idha.
- Marina Thiel: A Brazilian actress, best known for her roles on the Brazilian telenovelas Velho Chico, Força-Tarefa and Os Dez Mandamentos.
- Don Thiel: An American professional golf player, who has won multiple PGA Tour championships in the 1970s.
- Ryan Thiel: A Canadian hockey player, currently playing for the Calgary Flames.
- Silke Thiel: A German sport shooter, who has won 2 Olympic gold medals between 2008 and 2016.
- Boris Thiel: A German bodybuilding champion and actor, best known for his role in the movie Barb Wire with Pamela Anderson.
- Johannes Thiel: A German astronomer and physicist, known for his contributions to the research of the sun's atmosphere.