Surname Toenns - Meaning and Origin
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Toenns: What does the surname Toenns mean?
The surname Toenns is of German or Dutch origin. It is likely derived from the word "tönnes," which means tone or loud sound. The name could also have originated from the Middle Low German word "toon" meaning "apple tree." As a surname, Toenns is thought to have originally been used to denote someone who lived near an apple tree or derived their livelihood from apple orchards.
The German spelling of Toenns is typically Töns. This spelling is still used today, and is often found among people bearing this surname both in Germany and other countries.
The Toenns surname is found mostly in the states of North Rhine–Westphalia, Bavaria and Schleswig–Holstein in Germany and in the Netherlands. The United States also has a substantial population of people bearing the Toenns surname, particularly in the Midwest.
The meaning and origin of the Toenns surname clearly reflects its Germanic heritage. The name is still found in German-speaking regions and countries to this day, and is a reminder of the ancestors who once lived in these areas. It is a testament to the familial bond found in families all over the world, no matter how far apart they may be.
Order DNA origin analysisToenns: Where does the name Toenns come from?
The Toenns surname is most commonly found in southern Germany and the Netherlands. Its origin is believed to be German, as it is found in many German records from as far back as the 13th century. In Germany, it is mainly found in the states of Bavaria, Thuringia, Northrhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
In the Netherlands, it is also quite common and is particularly associated with the provinces of Zeeland, Limburg, Drenthe, Flevoland, and North Brabant. These provinces are also located near the border with Germany, where the name is more widespread, and it is possible that the name originated in Germany and made its way to the Netherlands at some point in its history.
The Toenns surname is also found in parts of the United States, particularly in areas that were settled by German immigrants, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New York. In the US, it is often spelled as ‘Tunis’, which appears to be a more Americanized version of the original German spelling.
Overall, the Toenns surname is still quite common today and its presence can be felt in both Germany and the Netherlands, as well as a few other parts of the world where German immigrants settled, such as the United States.
Variations of the surname Toenns
The surname Toenns has German roots, and is believed to have originated from a place name or a variant of the personal name 'Tönnis'. It is thought to be derived from the Old German 'Tunich' or 'Dunich' meaning 'the city'. Variants of this surname include Toennies, Tönnies, Töns, Tönses, Toens, Tennessen, and Tönnessen.
The first recorded spelling of the name Toenns is believed to be Tönnis, which was found in the book 'Rheinisches Namenbuch' by Heinrich Keussen. This was dated 1236 and noted as being in Westphalen, and subsequently in Niedersachsen. Later records include another Tönnis found in the Obermarsberg in 1569, and a Peter Tönnes in the register of Baptisms from Lippe Detmold in 1691.
The earliest known variation of the name is Toennies, first seen in 1393 in the Hildesheim, in Germany. The Scots-Irish variant of the name, Tennessen, is thought to have derived from the Norman, French or Flemish name of Tonnesen. A letter written in 1407 from Strassburg notes a Hans Toens, while the book 'Namensbuch' in 1945 shows Hans Töns and Hendrich Tönnes living in Tönsburg.
Today, the name Toenns is found mainly in Germany and Middle Europe, while the spellings of Toennies, Tönnies and Töns are mainly found in the Netherlands, and the USA has the highest population of Tennessen descendants.
Famous people with the name Toenns
- Alan Toenns: Canadian actor known for roles in projects such as Corner Gas, Riverdale, and The Next Step.
- Conner Toenns: American actor who has appeared in television roles such as A Million Little Things and The Big Bang Theory.
- Greg Toenns: American politician who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
- Brad Toenns: American television producer known for shows such as Faking It, Cold Case, and The Big Bang Theory.
- Mark Toenns: Dutch soccer player who plays for the Dutch national team and also represented his country at the FIFA World Cup.
- Peter Toenns: German researcher and university professor in the field of organizational development and human resource management.
- Lily Toenns: Canadian actor and author known for starring in series such as Degrassi: The Next Generation and Girls.
- Claudia Toenns: Argentine singer and songwriter who is known for her pop music.
- Grace Toenns: American graphite artist known for her intricate drawings inspired by the natural world.
- Henry Toenns: German chemist and author, he wrote numerous textbooks on chemistry that are used in schools and universities.