Surname Tonnellier - Meaning and Origin
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Tonnellier: What does the surname Tonnellier mean?
The surname Tonnellier is primarily found in France, and is derived from the Old French "tonnelier," meaning "cooper," or "barrel maker." Throughout history, the cooper trade has been an important part of French life, and the Tonnellier surname likely took root during the Middle Ages as a mark of occupation.
Coopering was an integral craft to fermenting wine and was often considered to be a specialist trade. The barrels had to be constructed expertly to prevent spoilage, and coopers had to possess a great level of skill to shape the staves of wood and secure them tight. People bearing the Tonnellier name were likely highly skilled artisans and their work would have been of the utmost importance in the region.
In modern times, the surname is taken on by families as a homage to their past links to the cooper trade, and serves as a reminder of their own cultural heritage. Although the craft of making barrels is less desired than in historical times, the legacy of the Tonnellier name remains.
Order DNA origin analysisTonnellier: Where does the name Tonnellier come from?
The last name Tonnellier is most commonly found throughout Europe, particularly in France, as this is where the name originates. It is thought to be a derivative of the Italian surname Tonnelli, which is linked to the Latin ‘tonale’ meaning barrel maker. The name is also common in countries that have historically had large French populations, such as Canada and the United States.
In France itself, the name is widely distributed but tends to be concentrated in the northern regions of Normandy and Picardy. In Canada, those with the surname Tonnellier are primarily found in Quebec and Ontario, with an additional concentration of the name in British Columbia. In the United States the surname is primarily found in Louisiana and other states within the American South, again likely linked to its French roots.
The name has also travelled further afield, with the arrival of French migration to South America, Africa and Asia. In South America, places such as Brazil, Argentina and Peru are particularly seen to be associated with the name Tonnellier. As a result the surname is likely to be found in many countries around the globe today.
Variations of the surname Tonnellier
The surname Tonnellier is derived from an old French word, "tonnelier," meaning cooper. It is believed to have first appeared in Normandy and other provinces of northern France centuries ago. The variants, spellings, and variations of the surname Tonnellier includes, but is not limited to: Tenellier, Tonnelier, Tunelier, Tonnier, Tanellier, Tunnellier, Tonnel, Tonnelle, Tanel, Tonel and Tugnel.
The surname Tonnellier is also found in several other countries, including England, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with slight variations in the spelling. Examples include Tunneller in Switzerland, Tonneder in Germany, antellier in Italy.
In the United States, it has become a common surname and is found in several states, spelling variations including: Tunnellier, Tunnally, Dunneally, Tonallee, Tolnally, Tunnalee, Tannele, Dunnely, Dunmally, and Donnely.
Besides Tonnellier, other surnames of related origins include Tanner, Tinier, Tinelle, Tonelle, Tinelle, Tinel, Tinny, Tunic, Tinny, Tuner, and Tonit. As common with many French surnames, the female spelling of Tonnellier is Tonnellieres.
In summary, the surname Tonnellier has many variants, spellings, and variations and is found in different countries around the world, adapting to the customs and dialects of the language and locales. These spellings and variations include Tenellier, Tonnelier, Tunelier, Tonnier, Tanellier, Tunnellier, Tonnel, Tonnelle, Tanel, Tonel, and Tugnel, among others.
Famous people with the name Tonnellier
- Marie-Claire Tonnellier: French actress
- Frederic Tonnellier: French poet
- Paul Tonnellier: French painter
- Laurence Tonnellier: French chanson and cabaret singer
- Francis Tonnellier: French politician
- Raymond Tonnellier: French politician and historian
- Alexander Tonnellier: Russian-born American actor
- Jean-Paul Tonnellier: French painter and sculptor
- Armand Tonnellier: French screenwriter and director
- Graziella Tonnellier: French artist and filmmaker