Surname Terboven - Meaning and Origin
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Terboven: What does the surname Terboven mean?
The last name Terboven is a Dutch surname that originated during the Middle Ages. It was first recorded in the early 17th century as the family name of the Terboven family. The literal translation of Terboven is "ravine over" and the original meaning of the word in Dutch is “hill,” denoting someone who lived on a hill above a ravine.
Historically, the Terboven surname was associated with feudal lords and vassals. Records show that as far back as the 14th century, the Terboven family was known for their lands and holdings in the Netherlands. The first recorded use of the Terboven name dates from 1596 in the Netherlands. Since then the name has spread to other parts of Europe, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
The Terboven surname is closely associated with Dutch military history, since several members of the Terboven family have served the Dutch military since the 17th century. The most famous of these is probably Ernst Terboven, a Nazi leader and later commandant of the concentration camp in Dachau. His presence as a Nazi leader in the Netherlands is remembered to this day.
The original meaning of the Terboven name emphasizes the rise to prominence of the family, and acts as a reminder of the success of the family over the years. The name has spread to many countries, and has been associated with many famous people throughout history. The true legacy of the name Terboven will likely remain a subject of debate and admiration for many years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisTerboven: Where does the name Terboven come from?
The last name Terboven is most commonly found today in German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The frequency of the surname in those countries is highest in the German region of North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by the Swiss cantons of Zurich, Basel-City, and Solothurn. It is also present in other parts of Europe and Switzerland, as well as in Canada and the United States.
In terms of the origins of the name, Terboven is of German or Dutch origin and is believed to stem from the Old Germanic personal name “Tirch”, meaning “famous". It is likely, then, that the ancestors of today's Terbovens originally lived in Germany before branching out into other parts of the world.
A notable person with this surname is Karl Ernst von Terboven (1898-1945), an important figure in Nazi Germany. He was both the Gauleiter (head of party organization and a regional leader) of the Gaue (regions) of both Essen and Norway.
In short, the last name Terboven is most commonly found today in German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also present in some other parts of Europe and North America. Its origins are of Germanic or Dutch origin, stemming from the Old Germanic personal name “Tirch”, meaning “famous”. The most noteworthy person with this surname is Karl Ernst von Terboven (1898-1945), an important figure in Nazi Germany.
Variations of the surname Terboven
The surname Terboven has its origin in the Low Countries, which are the area where Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are located. Depending on the dialect or language, the surname can have various spellings:
In Dutch, the most common spelling is Terboven, and some dialectal variants are ter Boven or ter Boef. In German, the spelling is usually Terböven, while in Luxembourgish, the orthographic form Terbouwen is used.
In addition to the variants mentioned, there are also surnames derived from the original surname. Some of these derivatives are Terbove, Terbeek, Teron, Terboer, Terboor, Terbon, Terbou, Terbov and Terran.
A few examples of notables with this surname include Reichskommissar für die besetzten niederländischen Gebiete, an infamous Nazi official, known by the name of Arthur Seyss-Inquart, whose name was originally Arthur Ernst Terboven; and Dutch actress Anke Terbovén, who is famous for the roles she has played in popular Dutch television series like Onderweg Naar Morgen and Gooische Vrouwen.
Most people with the surname Terboven are of Dutch and/or German descent, but people of other nationalities can also bear the surname. The surname may be written with a variety of spellings, but it still comes from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Terboven
- Joseph Terboven: Nazi politician and official of the Third Reich during WW2, known for being the Higher SS and Police leader in occupied Norway.
- Erwin Rommel: German army officer and military commander during WW2 who became infamous for his service under the command of Nazi leader Joseph Terboven in Norway.
- Johannes Terboven: former German soldier and infamous high-ranking Nazi politician, brother of Joseph Terboven.
- Gertrud Heinrich: wife of Joseph Terboven, who was known for her loyalty to the Nazi regime and extreme patriotism.
- Joseph Goebbels: well-known Nazi leader and Minister of Propaganda for the Third Reich.
- Rudolf Hess: one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates who accompanied him and Joseph Terboven during their tour of Norway in 1940.
- Albert Speer: infamous Nazi military architect and Minister for Armaments and War Production.
- Otto Skorzeny: Nazi Special Forces leader who was sent to Norway to meet with Joseph Terboven in 1942.
- Maximilian von Weichs: German Field Marshal who was present for several meetings with Joseph Terboven in Norway.
- Heinrich Himmler: Nazi leader, founder of the infamous Gestapo police force and head of the SS during WW2.