Surname Thijssen - Meaning and Origin

Thijssen: What does the surname Thijssen mean?

The last name Thijssen is a Dutch patronymic surname. It is derived from the personal names Thijs, or Matthijs, to which the suffix '-ssen' is added meaning 'son of.'

The Thijssen family name is derived from the combination of two separate words: Thijs or Matthijs—names commonly found in Dutch culture in the Middle Ages—and the suffix ‘-ssen,’ added to denote the children or immediate descendants of the original bearer.

Thijssen is the 812th most common name in the Netherlands. The earliest recorded spelling of the family name is Thijssen Endhout, which was recorded in Drenthe, Netherlands in 1402.

The most common of the various spellings are Thijssen and Thysen. Other spellings include Theijssen, Thijsen, Thijsse, Thiesen, Thiese, Thiessen, Thirssen, Thieessen, and Tieessen.

The Thijssen family today is found throughout Europe and North America. They are primarily descendants of Dutch emigrants, though some German Thijssens exist as well.

The Thijssen surname is an indication of the bearer's ancestral origin, particularly if they are from the Netherlands. While the name itself may not have a literal meaning, it is a great reminder of an ancestor from long ago—one who has a proud history of strength, perseverance, and tradition.

Thijssen: Where does the name Thijssen come from?

The last name Thijssen is a Dutch patronymic surname, indicating that the individual who bears the name is the son, daughter, or descendant of someone named Thijs. Generally believed to have originated in the North and East regions of the Netherlands, the Thijssen surname is now particularly concentrated in the provinces of Gelderland, Utrecht, and the northern part of Noord-Brabant. It also can be found in the provinces of Limburg, Zeeland, and North-Holland. Presently, the surname is most common in the Netherlands and Germany, with some presence in Belgium and the United States.

It also is much more commonly found among Dutch-speaking populations, both in the Netherlands and overseas. Those who trace their ancestry to the Dutch colonies in South America and North America, as well as the many Dutch migrants to the United States, will often find the Thijssen surname among their history. Those of Dutch or German heritage in the American Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may find that their family carry this surname as well.

The spelling of the surname often fluctuates depending on the region in which it is found. Forms such as Thysen, Tijssen, and even Thiessen, are common. This is reflective of the regional dialects spoken in the Netherlands and Germany.

Regardless of the versatility in spelling, the Thijssen surname is an iconic Dutch marker of heritage that is likely to endure for many generations to come.

Variations of the surname Thijssen

The surname Thijssen is a patronymic last name, which is derived from a personal name that was based on the given name of a father or ancestor. It is a common variant of Dutch and German names that refer to the same origin.

Variations of the surname Thijssen are Thiessen, Thijson, Thissen, Thiesen, Tijssen and Tiesen. In the Dutch language, surnames with the ‘-sen’ suffix refers to a pronounciation of ‘son of’. For example, the surname Johansson is derived from the personal name Johannes and translates to ‘son of Johannes’.

In the German language, the ending ‘-sen’ is used to indicate the relationship of a son to his father. Therefore, Thiessen would include ‘-sen’ to indicate ‘Thies is the son of’.

The orthographic variations of the surname Thijssen may also change according to the respective language used. Thus, when the surname is used in Flemish, it would be spelled Thijsse and in Dutch it may also be written as Thijssen.

The surname Thijssen is not limited to Dutch and German language countries. It is used worldwide and can even be traced in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Spain, England and more.

Additional variations of the surname Thijssen include Tijse, Teesen, Teisen, Teijssen, Teyson, Teijssen, Teisse, Tessen and Teisen.

When used in Swedish, the surname suffix has been used in both forms such as Thiesson and Thijsesson.

Ultimately, Thijssen is an ancient surname with a rich lineage and is found in a diversity of countries and languages.

Famous people with the name Thijssen

• Ruud Thijssen: Dutch retired footballer
• Stan Thijssen: Dutch association football coach
• Conrad Thijssen: Dutch retired professional football player
• Remmert Thijssen: Dutch footballer
• Nicky Thijssen: Dutch former professional footballer
• Maurice Thijssen: Belgian retired football player
• Arno Thijssen: Dutch speed skater
• Bart Thijssen: Belgian retired footballer
• Erwin Thijssen: Dutch former professional footballer
• Sven Thijssen: Belgian retired professional football player
• Jan van Thijssen: Dutch retired footballer
• Raoul Thijssen: Belgian professional football player
• Harry Thijssen: Dutch former professional football player

Other surnames

Thijssens