Surname Teanby - Meaning and Origin

Teanby: What does the surname Teanby mean?

The last name Teanby is of English origin, derived from a location in Yorkshire in the North Riding of Yorkshire. It is believed that the Teanby surname was derived from the old English words, 'before' and 'burgh', which translates to "before the settlement". This suggests that the Teanby family came from a place near a settlement, although it is not known exactly where.

The earliest record of the name was in 1273, in the Feet of Fines of Yorkshire. Other records of the name date from 1322, when a John de Teneby was mentioned in the Priory of Hexham Priory Records. The name also appears in 1592, in the Yorkshire Wills, where an Elizabeth Teanby is listed.

In later years, the Teanby surname began to be used more widely throughout England and Scotland. It has continued to be used even today.

Although there are a few other meanings for the name Teanby, such as “son of Tanby”, it is believed that the primary meaning of the name is “before the settlement”. This meaning ties the Teanby family to a particular location, and suggests that the family comes from a place near a settlement, though the exact location is not known.

The Teanby surname is a distinct and interesting one, with a long and varied history, and many modern-day bearers of the name. It is the bearer of the name’s responsibility to ensure that they are proud of their heritage and of their name.

Teanby: Where does the name Teanby come from?

The last name Teanby is most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland and Wales. In Scotland, the surname Teanby is concentrated in Glasgow, Aberdeenshire, and Edinburgh, while in Wales it is mainly found in Anglesey, Denbighshire, and Swansea.

In terms of population numbers, it is not particularly common. According to historical records, there were only 262 people with the last name Teanby in the United Kingdom as of the 1881 census. By the 1911 census, this number had increased to 476 people, which is still lower than most other surnames in the UK. Despite the low numbers, the Teanby family remains dispersed throughout the United Kingdom.

The Teanby name has also spread to other countries in Europe, the Americas, and Australia. Records show that there are 686 Teanby families living in the United States, while in Australia there are 322 people with this surname.

It is believed that the Teanby family is of Norse origin, though it is not certain. Some sources suggest that the name means "the people of the town Teanby” in old Norse. Other sources however, suggest that the name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, stemming from the pre-7th century word "tunby" meaning “farmstead by the enclosure" or “tun" - meaning a village or an enclosure, and "by" - meaning a farmstead.

The Teanby family crest is a simple chevron, which suggests that the family may have been amongst the more modest members of society. The motto "Vilicus Educatus" (Education is the Teacher) reinforces this idea.

Overall, the Teanby family is not an especially common surname today, although it is still found across the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and other countries. Its low profile may be linked to its status as a more humble family in pre-modern England. Although its origins remain uncertain, it is believed to be either Norse or Anglo-Saxon in origin.

Variations of the surname Teanby

The surname Teanby is derived from the hometown of Teanby, located in Yorkshire, England. The town is derived from the Old English word "tēah", meaning oak, and the Old Norse word "byr", meaning homestead or village. Over the years, the surname has taken on various spellings and variations, with some of the most common including Teanneby, Tenneyby, Teanbie, Teeneby, Tenby, Tenneby, Teenebee, Teanbe, and Teneby.

The Tenneyby and Teanbie surnames are derived from the same Anglo-Saxon roots, although they appeared in different parts of early-Modern Britain. The Tenneyby variant first appeared in Cumberland in Northumbria circa 12th century, whereas Teanbie is found primarily in Derbyshire in central England. Both are considered "habitational" surnames, as in they originated in specific places and identified those with ancestral ties to that place.

Beyond the England-based iterations, other spellings of the Teanby surname have appeared in other countries, especially the United States. Examples include Teaney, Teney, Tenny, Tanny, Teanney, Telynn, Teanney, Teaney, Teany, and Teanna. These spellings represent the evolution of the Teanby name being transferred by emigres from England to the US and include both common American-style spellings as well as "hybrid" spellings.

The Teanby surname is also linked with other surnames found in northern Britain, such as Tenniby, Teanbirke, Teanburke, Tenneby, Tanneby, Tennebee, Teaneby, Tennebigh, and Tennebie. Although the various spellings exist in different parts of the country, they are all likely derived from the same original roots and were established by families with ancestral connections to the Teanby area and the wider Prescot and Derbyshire region.

Famous people with the name Teanby

• Bridgette Teanby: Australian singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Jarrad Teanby: professional ice hockey player who plays for the Canterbury Red Devils in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League.
• Joshua Teanby: award-winning English conductor, vocal coach and music director.
• Gary Teanby: professional footballer who plays for AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League.
• Callum Teanby: British actor, known for his role in the 2011 film X-Men: First Class.
• Sean Teanby: former American football player in the NFL, playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
• Matt Teanby: British voice actor, known for providing the voices of various characters in TV series and video games, such as the game franchise Assassin's Creed.
• Angus Teanby: Australian actor, known for portraying the character of Australia’s first Prime Minister Toby in the 2018 mini-series Australia: Story of Us.
• Tim Teanby: professional race car driver, currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
• Christian Teanby: English rugby union player, currently playing for the Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership.

Other surnames

Teanbie