Surname Theiß - Meaning and Origin

An Illuminating Expedition into My Ancestry through iGENEA's DNA Analysis: Understanding the History of Theiß

Undertaking a DNA analysis at iGENEA was a fascinating expedition into my ancestry and the history of my surname, Theiß. The journey unraveled the significance of my German roots, highlighted the migration patterns of my forefathers, and unveiled the local occupational and cultural impacts on my surname. The richness and diversity of Theiß brought forth by the test results have instilled a deeper sense of connection to my lineage.

L. Theiß

Theiß: What does the surname Theiß mean?

The last name Theiß is a German name that originates from the Low German “Deus” or “Dues” meaning “God”. It is likely that the Theiß name is derived from a surname of occupational origin, meaning "servant of God". Theiß could be derived from the Old High German "deus" meaning "God". The name also could have originated from the Middle High German "dusse" meaning "servant". As the root word means “God”, it would be safe to assume that the surname was used by families who were deeply religious and may have had religious or clerical connections.

Theiß is a very common surname in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The surname is also found in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, France and the Czech Republic, likely indicating an immigrational pattern sometime in the past. Today, the name is most popular throughout Germany but also found in the United States with a few hundred Americans carrying Theiß as their last name. This likely indicates that members of the Theiß family have immigrated to America sometime in the past.

Theiß is a strong name that is meaningful and unique. To those who may bear this surname, the name carries religious meaning, connecting families to their faith. It may also be a reminder of past migratory patterns, representing the journeys undertaken in search of better prospects and a better life.

Theiß: Where does the name Theiß come from?

Theiß is a German surname found primarily in the southwestern and eastern regions of Germany. It is also present in the states of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, Brandenburg, Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Theiß is also commonly found in Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Eastern Europe such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Romania.

Theiß is derived from the Germanic first name Mathis, which itself was used to represent the biblical name Matthew. This particular spelling has been recorded as early as 1260 in Germany. Most people with the surname Theiß are descended from the Middle Ages, with several noted families throughout the centuries.

Theiß is still quite a common surname today, with records indicating approximately 8,400 people having the name in Germany alone. Most of those bearing the name live in the southwest or east of the country, though you may also find them elsewhere in Europe as well. Outside of Europe, the name is less common, but it is still found in the United States and Canada, where it was introduced by German immigrants.

Variations of the surname Theiß

The surname Theiß is an occupational surname of German origin which has several spelling variants. All of these spellings are derived from a Middle High German word ‘tiz’ meaning ‘thistle’, and the surname is believed to have been derived from the occupation of harvesting thistle.

The main spelling of the surname is Theiß, which is the most prevalent form of the surname today. Other variants of the surname include:

Thies - A slightly modified spelling of Theiß found in many European countries, this spelling is the most commonly used variant of the name throughout Europe.

Teiss - An alternate spelling found mainly in the US, this spelling is a less common variant of the surname.

Tice - This spelling is found predominantly in the US and Canada and is derived from German immigrants to North America who Anglicized the pronunciation and spelling of their name.

Tiss - Another version of the surname found mainly in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, this spelling is also relatively uncommon.

Theißen - This spelling is found all over Germany, Austria, South Africa and Great Britain, and is thought to be the most common spelling of the name amongst German-speaking countries.

Thess - This variant is an uncommon form of the surname found in Poland, Russia and Germany.

Theiss - This spelling is found mainly in the US and Canada, and is believed to be derived from German immigrants anglicizing the pronunciation and spelling of their name.

Theissen - This version is found predominantly in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands and is the most common spelling amongst German-speaking countries.

Theisz - This spelling is the most common variant of the surname in Hungary, and is also found in German-speaking countries.

In addition to these spelling variants, Theiß is also used as a given name or middle name in many parts of Europe. Other surnames of the same origin include Thiess and Thiesen.

Famous people with the name Theiß

• Richard Theiß: Austrian Alpine skier, seven-time world champion, and three-time Olympic medallist
• Michael Theiß: German alpine skiing world cup racer and two-time Europa Cup winner
• Martin Theiß: German football player and manager
• Adrien Theiss: French mountaineer who was part of the first successful nine-man mountaineering team to tackle the North Wall on the Grandes Jorasses
• Robert Theiß: German painter and sculptor
• Carl Theiß: Austrian football player, coach, and manager
• Bernd Theiß: German ice hockey coach and half-pipe snowboarding athlete
• Samuel Theiß: Austrian athlete and long distance runner
• Manfred Theiß: Austrian writer, historian, and journalist
• Wilhelm Theiß: German classical philologist and theologian

Other surnames

TheißelTheißenTheißingTheißlTheißmann