Surname Thuel - Meaning and Origin
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Thuel: What does the surname Thuel mean?
The surname Thuel is of German origin and first derived from Thual, an Old German first name meaning “world ruler”. It is believed to have tenuously been linked to the Germanic deities Thunraz and Ziu in early days, though it is far more likely to have derived from two non-biblical sources: the Old High German for “swell” or “thorn”, and the Old Saxon word for “horizon”.
As the Thuel surname evolved, it became prevalent throughout Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Records indicate that the surname is being used by multiple families spread across these countries, each with their own unique regional spelling.
The Thuel name is also found in the United States, notably among Hessian settlers who arrived during the Revolutionary time period. Today, the Thuel surname is most notably used for people of German descent, though it is still used by descendants of other nationalities who have adopted it.
The Thuel surname signifies a long and varied history that has been passed down through the generations. It has likely withstood the test of time due to its original meaning of “world ruler” – a fitting symbol for a family whose members have undoubtedly proven that they could more than stand their own in a tumultuous world.
Order DNA origin analysisThuel: Where does the name Thuel come from?
The last name Thuel is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. It is a rare surname, not usually found in other parts of the world. The Thuel name can be traced back centuries to the area now known as Northern Germany, in a region known as Hesse. In this area archeological evidence suggests that Thuel family have been living since the late middle ages, though records of the first Thuel only begin to appear in the late 1600s.
Due to the long history of the Thuel family in the region, the name is well-known and increasingly popular today. Over the centuries many Thuels have made their homes in villages like Bornhagen, Bodenbach, and Kostheim. Today many Thuel descendants continue to live in these towns, and the name remains an important part of the local community. In addition, many Thuel descendants have spread across the world in search of work and adventure, making the Thuell surname a global phenomenon, if relatively rare.
Thuell is also a popular name in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where people of German descent often settled during the 19th and early 20th centuries. With the internet, more and more Thuells are becoming aware of their distant familial connections, and the Thuel name is becoming increasingly popular in many countries today.
Variations of the surname Thuel
The surname Thuel has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Thal, Thall, Tharl, Thawl, Thühl, Thüll, Thiel, Tiede, Toll, and Tull.
The variants of Thuel all have a similar Germanic origin, deriving either from the Germanic word thula, meaning “daring, bold” or from the Old High German word thul, referring to a sheltered area or hiding place.
The modern spelling of Thuel can be traced back to several earliest recorded versions of the surname, including Thülke in 1597, Thul in 1701, and Tholl in 1729. By the mid 1800s, variants of the name had spread into several countries, with records of Thuel families living in Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Russia, and the United States.
The spelling Thuel can also be found in various Scandinavian countries, changed slightly in pronunciation and spelling to Thul, Thoel, Thoell, Thoeler, and Thoeller.
In France, the Thuel surname was recorded as Thulle in the 13th century, and later as Thiel, Thill, and Thal. This variant of the name has developed a separate identity with records in France spanning over 800 years.
Many European Thuel families also adapted their name into other languages, most notably in countries with Latin based languages such as Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Here, the surname often became Thulio or Tullo, and is still used in some areas to this day.
All these variants of the Thuel surname share a common origin and can be traced to the same family of origin. Whether the name takes its origins from the Germanic word thula or thul, each variant of the Thuel surname is as closely related as it is diverse.
Famous people with the name Thuel
- Christophe Thuel: A French actor, director, and screenwriter who is best known for his performance in the film Un homme à la hauteur.
- Louis Thuel: A professional Swiss ski and snowboard coach who was the founder of the Thuel Snow Camps.
- Karsten Thuel: A German independent journalist and author who won the 2006 Kurt Schork Award in International Journalism.
- Henri Thuel: A French painter and sculptor who painted primarily portraits and genre scenes.
- Anne Thuell: An American painter and occasional sculptor who is known for her modernist approach to art.
- Pierre Thuel: A former professional rugby union footballer who represented France in the Five Nations Championship from 1984 to 1989.
- Jean Thuel: A French engraver, etcher, and lithographer who was active in the 18th century.
- Jean-Pierre Thuel: A French journalist and writer who is the author of several works including Chroniques cruelle vie.
- Joseph Thuel: An Austrian architect who designed several landmark buildings including the Gustav Mahler-Werfel Pavilion in Vienna's Volksgarten.
- Claude Thuel: A French writer and filmmaker who wrote and directed the 2002 film "Au Petit Marguery".