Surname Tennyson - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Tennyson: What does the surname Tennyson mean?
The surname Tennyson is of English origin and is believed to come from the medieval personal name "Dennis," which in turn derives from Dionysius, the Greek god of wine. It is often found as "Tennison" or "Tyson" as well. This name is linked with the old French "Denis," later modified to "Tennyson" (meaning Dennis’ son). One notable person in history who carried this name was Alfred Lord Tennyson, a popular English Poet Laureate during much of the reign of Queen Victoria. Although the exact origin point and full meaning of this surname are not fully certain, it generally traces back to ancient cultures, symbolizing longevity and respect for historic customs. The presence of this name within cultured societies lends it a sense of prestige and cultural significance.
Order DNA origin analysisTennyson: Where does the name Tennyson come from?
The surname Tennyson is of English origin and derives from the patronymic, meaning "son of Dennis." It was first found in Lincolnshire, East Midlands of England, where the most distinguished family carried the surname Tennyson, notably including Alfred Lord Tennyson, the famous Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. Today, the surname remains most commonplace within England. However, due to historical emigration, it is also found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite not having a large presence, it remains a notable surname due to the cultural impact of Alfred Lord Tennyson's body of work.
Variations of the surname Tennyson
The surname Tennyson, most famously associated with the British poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is of Anglo-Saxon origins. It is patronymic in its nature, meaning it is derived from a personal name, in this case, the Old English personal name "Tunstan". Variants of Tennyson could potentially include Tennysson, Tenison, Tennison, and Tennson.
In English naming traditions, surnames often underwent significant variations in spelling over time due to the inconsistent practice of writing names and words phonetically. For instance, the surname Tennyson might be written as Tennison in phonetic spelling. In this vein, variants like Tennison, Tenneson, Teneson might exist.
The surname could also have regional variations across geographies. For example, in Scotland, the use of “Mac” as a prefix in surnames denotes “son of", so Tennyson could potentially be rendered as MacTennyson in Scotland. However, it's important to note that this is mere speculation and the existence of such a variant is not confirmed.
Despite these possibilities, online databases suggest that Tennyson and Tenison are the most commonly used versions today.
Famous people with the name Tennyson
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson: A well-known British poet during the reign of Queen Victoria, he penned classics like "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and "In Memoriam A.H.H."
- F. J. Tennyson Jesse (Fryniwyd Tennyson Jesse): A significant British author and journalist of the 20th Century. Best known for her true crime and detective novels.
- Charles Tennyson Turner: An English poet who was also Alfred, Lord Tennyson's elder brother. He is famous for his sonnet sequence.
- Harold Tennyson: The 2nd Baron Tennyson, grandson of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. He served in the Royal Navy during WWI and WWII.
- Hallam Tennyson: Alfred Tennyson's eldest son who inherited his father's baronetcy, becoming the 2nd Baron Tennyson.
- Emily Tennyson: Wife of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. She was an author who influenced her husband's poetry.
- Lionel Tennyson: Grandson of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and a famous English cricketer who played for Hampshire and England.
- Gypsey Teague (born Sherry Tennyson): An American author and Witchcraft leader known for her steampunk novels.
- Ben Tennyson: A fictional character from the popular cartoon series Ben 10.
- Charles Bruce Locker Tennyson: Great-grandson of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and a British historian and biographer.