Surname Thönßen - Meaning and Origin
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Thönßen: What does the surname Thönßen mean?
The last name Thönßen is a German surname, most common in northern Germany, around the region of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. It is derived from the old German personal name "Thonis" which was a pet form of "Antonius", meaning "highly praiseworthy".
The spelling of the surname Thönßen is unique, as it is usually seen with two dots over the letter "ö". This gives the name a slightly different pronunciation, muting its vowel a little bit to make it sound more like the similar name "Thon".
Historically, the name became popular in the Middle Ages, where it appeared with a number of regional variants stemming from the Low German "Thone". It was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that the standardized form Thönßen began to become more broadly accepted throughout northern Germany.
Nowadays, there are still many people carrying the surname Thönßen, mainly in northern Germany, though the name can also be found in other areas of the country.
People with the surname Thönßen have made their mark in various ways over the centuries. Examples include distinguished German actors, politicians, scientists, and academics. No matter how the name is spelled, those who bear it often have a sense of pride and honour for their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisThönßen: Where does the name Thönßen come from?
The last name Thönßen is a German name that is still quite common today. It is most commonly found in Germany, where it is ranked as the 63rd most common surname nationwide. It is also found in neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Luxembourg. Across Europe the name Thönßen is relatively popular, accounting for an estimated 20,000 people with the name.
In the United States, the last name Thönßen is found in concentrations primarily on the east coast and in the midwest. Those who carry the last name Thönßen in the US are primarily of German descent. It is estimated that approximately 990 people in the United States have the surname Thönßen.
The last name Thönßen has a variety of spellings, including Thonsen and Thoenssen. It is derived from the Middle High German words "thuon" and "senne", meaning "slope" and "forest clearing". It is believed that the last name was originally given to those who lived on hilly or sloping land.
In the 21st century, the last name Thönßen is still an important part of the German cultural fabric, and an indicator of one's German ancestry. With its various spellings, it can be found in a variety of places around the world, and a reminder of the shared connection of those who bear the surname.
Variations of the surname Thönßen
The surname Thönßen has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is a patronymic name derived from the given name ‘Thönse’ and is common in Germany and Luxembourg. Variations include Thoensen, Thonzen, Thoning, Thonings, Thonissen, Thonisse, Thoenessen, Thoennes, Thoenes, Thonessen, Thudussen, Thudusen, Thudlussen and Thudlussen.
The spelling of Thönßen is found in records from the 19th century throughout Germany, which indicates that it is a Germanic surname. It originates from the northern region of the Low Countries, specifically in Luxembourg, where the name originated.
In addition to the spelling of the surname, the surname also can have different endings. These endings can include Thönßen, Thoensen, Thonzen, Thoning, Thonings, Thonissen, Thonisse, Thoenessen, Thoennes, Thoenes, Thonessen, Thudussen, Thudusen, Thudlussen and Thudlussen.
The surname is very common in Luxembourg, Germany and throughout the Low Countries, making it a very popular surname. It is not limited to these countries, however, and can be found in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and a few other countries as well.
All these variations of the surname culminate in the original German spelling of Thönßen, and all the other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin stem from this original spelling.
Famous people with the name Thönßen
- Gudrun Thönßen, German journalist for television and radio
- Wilhelmine Thönßen, German pianist
- Bendix Thönßen, German naval officer
- Hellmuth Thönßen, German naval officer
- Ernst Thönßen, German swimmer
- Bernd Thönßen, German cyclist
- Michael Thönßen, German film director
- Horst Thönßen, German footballer
- Jürgen Thönßen, German judoka
- Martin Thönßen, German classical pianist
- Ernst Thönßen, German botanist
- Benno Thönßen, German football coach
- Hans Thönßen, German film composer
- Bernd Thönßen, German lawyer
- Siegfried Thönßen, German chemist
- Paul Thönßen, German chemist
- Rudolf Thönßen, German orientalist
- Andreas Thönßen, German child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst
- Angelika Thönßen, German landscape architect
- Helga Thönßen, German photographer
- Heinrich Thönßen, German zoologist
- Richard Thönßen, German actor and director