Surname Tilse - Meaning and Origin

Tilse: What does the surname Tilse mean?

The last name Tilse is of German origin and has two possible meanings. It can be derived from the Germanic root tils, which means “tile” or “shiny piece,” indicating ancestral work with clay or other materials. Alternately, it can be derived from an ancient Germanic root tils, meaning “battle.”

The name Tilse is believed to have originated in north and central Germany, where clay was commonly used for building materials and decorative elements. It’s possible that the Tilses were among the earliest artisans in the region and were known for their intricate craftwork.

As the Germans migrated, the Tilse name also spread, including to the United States; in 2017, it was the 15,871st most common surname in the country. Today, the Tilse surname is found in German speaking countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg, as well as in some other parts of Europe and the Americas.

The Tilse name is likely to derive from an ancient Germanic root meaning “tile” or “shiny piece,” as well as “battle,” suggesting the ancestors of those with the last name were known for both their craftsmanship and their martial abilities.

Tilse: Where does the name Tilse come from?

The last name Tilse is most commonly found in Germany today. The name has German origins and is derived from the Middle High German word 'tiles', meaning 'young squire' or 'outrider'. According to the U.S. based genealogy website Ancestry.com, the Tilse name is most prevalent in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemburg and in the cities of Munich, Stuttgart and Karlsruhe.

In the United States, the Tilse name does not appear to have gained much traction, with only about 169 people currently bearing the name. That number is significantly fewer than the 28,764 Tilses living in Germany today.

In Germany, the Tilse name carries certain prestige as one of the oldest and noble families in the country, reaching back to 1250 AD. To this day, certain members of the Tilse family live on grand estates and are said to have a cozy relationship with Germany's royal family.

The Tilse's have also made their mark in German history with the double-headed Tilse eagle, a heraldic symbol used until the 19th century. The current branch of the Tilse family use the same double-headed eagle on their crest as a nod to their heraldic past.

Overall, given its Germanic origins and extended presence in the country, the Tilse name is most commonly found in Germany today.

Variations of the surname Tilse

The surname Tilse is a patronymic surname derived from the Teutonic given name Tilo. Variants of this surname include Tilsa, Tillse, Tilsen, Tilson, Tilsn, Tilsant, and Tilz. Spellings of this surname have varied over the centuries, with some historical records noting Tilso, Tilsay, Tilsee, Tilsay, and Tilsch among many others.

Tilse family members can be found in areas of Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Scandinavia, and the United States. Records of the Tilse family have been found as far back as the early 13th century in German towns such as Wismar, Dorphau, Karlsburg, Thall, and Halberstadt.

Nicknames of the Tilse surname include Tiles, Tilsy, and Tilsey. These nicknames were commonly used by family members and are sometimes found on birth certificates. Anglo-Saxon Tilse family members sometimes adopted the surname Tilley.

In the US, Tilse family members were among the early German-American settlers, having arrived from various towns in Germany in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Many entered the US through the port of Philadelphia or settled elsewhere in Pennsylvania. Tilse family members also established roots in New York, Illinois, Ohio, and North Carolina. Over the course of US history, some Tilse family members have anglicized their surname to Tilsen or Tilson.

The modern spelling of Tilse is the most prevalent spelling of the surname, however, it is important to remember that the spellings and variants of the surname can vary. When researching the ancestry of those with the Tilse surname it is important to consider each of the possible spelling variations.

Famous people with the name Tilse

• Ben Tilse: an Australian singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and composer who is best known for his work with alternative rock band, The Living End.
• Shane Tilse: an Australian television presenter and producer, who is well remembered for his role hosting Saturday Disney from 1989 to 1993.
• Stilli Tilse: an American fashion designer and entrepreneur, best known for her role as the founder and Creative Director of the fashion and lifestyle brand Ulla Johnson.
• Anna Tilse: an Australian actress, model and social media influencer who is best known for her roles in Home and Away as Jasmine Delaney and How to Stay Married as Trish Jenkins.
• Clark Tilse: an Australian actor who is best known for his roles in The Heights, Newton’s Law and Rake.
• Skye Tilse: an Australian actress, model and dancer, best known for her role as Leela in 40 Days and 40 Nights of Rain.
• Laval Tilse: an Australian environmentalist and animal rights activist, best known for co-founding the nonprofit organization, Planet Ark.
• Colin Tilse: an Australian rugby union player, who competed for the Wallabies in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
• Nicholas Tilse: an American architect and urban planner, best known for his role in the planning and design of the High Line in New York City.
• Beryl Tilse: an Australian artist and illustrator, primarily known for her designs of books and book banners.

Other surnames

TilsTilsenTilsner