Surname Theißen - Meaning and Origin

Theißen: What does the surname Theißen mean?

Theißen is a German surname derived from the word "theiss", which means "thread", and is thus an occupational surname likely referring to someone who worked with thread. Professionally, the surname may refer to someone who worked as a weaver, tailor, seamstress, or embroiderer, but could also refer to someone involved in a trade such as rope-making or leatherworking.

Theißen is a fairly common surname; in 2009, it was ranked number 904, based on data from Germany's Meyers Gazetter. The surname is also found in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in regions that are now part of other nations, such as Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. It is also found in small numbers in the United States, particularly in certain parts of the midwest and upper mountain states.

In traditional German society, last names generally indicated the occupation of the family. As such, people with the Theißen surname likely trace their heritage back to skilled craftsmen and artisans. Theißen may also have derived from a nickname given to people with white hair or a fair complexion, in which case it may have been an affectionate or descriptive remark about an ancestor.

Regardless of its origin, the Theißen surname is an unmistakable reminder of Germany's hardworking and creative spirit, and a testament to the pride of craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Theißen: Where does the name Theißen come from?

Theißen is a common last name in Germany today. It is also present in other parts of Europe, including Switzerland, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands. In Germany, the surname is particularly common in the western and southern regions of the country, with the most popularversions of the name being theißen, thiessen, and theissen.

In recent decades, theißen has also become increasingly common in North America. Although most of the people with the surname in this part of the world have Germanic roots, there are some who are descended from British immigrants to the US. In Canada, the surname is also present but is much rarer.

Theißen has its roots in Germany's eastern, northern and western provinces. The name itself has various spellings, with some being pronounced very similarly to the English spelling of “thee” while others are more similar to the German pronunciation (for example, “tice”).

Theißen is also a name found in Jewish families, especially those of German heritage. In the United States, variants of the name are also found in persons of Hungarian, Croatian, and Polish ancestries, most likely brought by immigrants as they moved around Europe and to the New World.

Overall, Theißen is a widely spread surname, with its origins in Germany, but found in many other countries and regions around the world today.

Variations of the surname Theißen

Theißen is a German surname derived from the middle German term "thyser" meaning "brave". Variants of this surname include:

• Theißen

• Theisen

• Theysen

• Thiesen

• Thieson

• Thiessen

• Thielen

• Tiesen

• Tieson

• TIessen

• Thyesen

• Thyson

• Thysen

• Thaysen

Theißen is an occupational surname, naming people who worked in forestry, gamekeeping and hunting. It can also be found in records from the 15th century in Germany, originally found mainly in the east of the country, and more recently has become spread more widely throughout the country.

Theißen is also found as a transliteration from Polish as Tyssen, Tyzen, Teissen, Teysen and Teizne. It can be found in records from the 18th century in the northeastern districts of East Prussia, and at the end of the 19th century the Tyssen family was among the nobility in Poland.

Theißen can also be found in records from the 17th century as a translation of the Hebrew surname Tebunim, which was imposed by authorities on Jewish refugees and immigrants as part of their conversion process.

Theißen is also found as a German-language variant of the Dutch and Flemish Van de Theijs, meaning “from the Deijs”. This is a toponymic name referring to the Deijs river in Flanders, Belgium, where the family originated. The family was recorded as far back as the 14th century.

Famous people with the name Theißen

• Barbara Theißen: German academic and professor of Romance studies
• Philip Theißen: German classical philologist and author
• Jørgen Theißen: Danish handball player
• Saleh Theißen: German footballer
• Hans Theißen: German footballer
• Christoph Theißen: German footballer
• Kjell Theißen: Norwegian footballer
• Melanie Theißen: German chess player and actress
• Nora Theißen: German artist
• Gerrit Theißen: German theologian

Other surnames

Theißel