Surname Tonsor - Meaning and Origin
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Tonsor: What does the surname Tonsor mean?
The last name Tonsor is thought to have originated from the Latin word tondere, meaning "to shave or shear,” and it is most common in English and German-speaking countries.
The Tonsor surname is believed to have originated among those early families who were engaged in the business of barbering—the earlies form of hair cutting. It is thought these barber-surgeons traveled and assisted members of nobility and royal households with medical needs, as well as providing their services as barbers.They may have even treated injuries of travelers journeying along the many roads during the medieval era.
The Tonsor surname is associated with barbering, but it also reflects other aspects of medieval life. In some cases, it may denote occupational diversity such as fishers, sailors, and farmers. It could also refer to places associated with these occupations or various localities. Indeed, Tonsor has variously been spelled as Tansky, Tonza, Tonder, Tonger, Tonnere, and Tantzen.
The Tonsor surname is an occupational name, and there are many theories alluding to its origins. Regardless, it has come to represent a family with a deep history. Its members can trace their shared history back hundreds of years, providing further evidence of a symbol of unity, tradition, and dedication that spans generations.
Order DNA origin analysisTonsor: Where does the name Tonsor come from?
The last name Tonsor is relatively common in certain parts of the world. In the United States, Tonsor is most heavily concentrated in the Midwest and Plains states, particularly in rural areas throughout Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.
In Germany, the surname Tonsor is a variation of a similar family name, Tönnesse, which originates in North Rhine-Westphalia, a German state located in the western part of the country. The Tönnesse name can be traced back to the 14th century, when it started appearing in various German records and documents.
Outside of the U.S. and Germany, the Tonsor surname appears to be quite rare. It has been seen in the Netherlands, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Poland, and other parts of Europe.
In terms of current popularity, the Tonsor surname does not appear to be particularly widespread around the world. According to a worldwide survey of surnames, the current estimated population of individuals with the surname Tonsor is around 50,000. However, it is important to note that this figure may not include individuals with slightly different spelling variations of the same name.
Variations of the surname Tonsor
The surname Tonsor is a patronymic derived from the Latin term ‘tonsor’ meaning barber. Other variants and spellings of the surname include Tonezor, Tonzor, Tanzer, Tanzerdorfer, Tanzerdörfer, Tonzer, Tonsers, and Tonser.
The surname Tonsor is found on the German-Austrian border in both countries. The earliest recorded reference to this family name is found in Linz, Austria, in 1675 when a Jacob Tonsor appears in the records. Subsequently, many variants of the surname can be found in Austria, Bavaria, and other areas of Germany, including Saxony.
In England and Wales, the surname Tonsor is also found during the 19th century in particular, with many variants and spellings appearing in local parish records. One prominent example is William Hendry Tonsor, who was born in Croombe, Yorkshire, in 1859.
In the United States, the surnames Tonsor and Tonzor are both found in the 1800s census, suggesting that different branches of the same family may have emigrated to the United States.
The variants Tonezor, Tanzer, Tanzerdorfer, Tanzerdörfer, and Tonzer may also be found in the United States in different censuses. However, relatively few records have been digitized, so it could be difficult to find records for these particular variants and spellings.
Overall, the surname Tonsor is derived from ‘tonsor’ which provides the likely origin for many of the different variants and spellings of this patronymic family name, found both in Europe and North America.
Famous people with the name Tonsor
- Mark Tonsor: Former Vice President of Livestock Marketing at UMB Bank.
- Justin Tonsor: Professional golfer on the Korn Ferry Tour.
- Aaron Tonsor: Professional drummer and percussionist.
- Jason Tonsor: Visual artist and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Art & Design at the University of Kansas.
- Kelly Tonsor: Professional sand artist.
- Seth Tonsor: Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University.
- Tyler Tonsor: Professional actor, producer and musician.
- Valerie Tonsor: Former Executive Vice President, Global President Food at Tyson Foods.
- Meghan Tonsor: Freelance Graphic and Digital Designer.
- Melanie Tonsor: Professional actress and musician.