Surname Theelen - Meaning and Origin

Theelen: What does the surname Theelen mean?

Theelen is a Dutch surname, derived from the medieval given name Theelo, which is a variation of the Biblical name Theodore. This name can be translated to mean "God's gift", and so it is often used to refer to a special person who is seen as a divine blessing.

The origin of the surname is unclear, but it appears to be rooted in Greek mythology. There was a Greek god named Theelo, who was attributed with the power of gifting people with fortune and wealth. It is said that Theelo guided people to morality and honor, rewarding them for making beneficial choices and punishing those who were lewd or corrupt. The name was then used across Europe in the Middle Ages as a given name, often given to infants who showed potential of great leadership or extraordinary gifts. It is also thought to have been a popular choice for those who wished to gain favor with those in power.

Theelen is now a relatively common surname in the Netherlands, with records from the 12th century indicating that it was used as a given name for many years before that. The name is still seen as a symbol of luck and good fortune, and for those with the surname, it is a reminder of the blessing that they have been given.

Theelen: Where does the name Theelen come from?

Theelen is a Dutch surname commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It is mostly concentrated in the northeastern region of the Netherlands. Due to the Netherlands' proximity to Germany, Theelen may also be found in neighboring German states like North Rhine-Westphalia.

Additionally, Theelen is present in many regions of the world with Dutch diaspora, such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. The popularity of the name in these countries is likely due to the fact that the Netherlands is the ancestral homeland of many of their citizens.

Theelen is often a hereditary surname, meaning that the family tree usually traces back to one ancestor. This ancestor typically originated from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, or other regions of the world with Dutch emigration.

Most who bear the surname have Dutch ancestry. Theelen is most often a spelling variation of Thelen. This spelling variation is used in some parts of Germany, such as North Rhine-Westphalia.

In conclusion, Theelen is commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as regions with Dutch diaspora. Theelen is usually a hereditary surname, originating from regions with Dutch immigration. Those who bear the name are likely of Dutch descent.

Variations of the surname Theelen

Theelen is an uncommon Dutch surname derived from the Middle Dutch ‘Theel’, meaning ‘shield’. This surname is found primarily in the southern Netherlands, and in Flanders, Belgium.

Variants of Theelen include 'Theelin' and 'Theilen', with spellings ranging from 'Thealen' to 'Theelins', 'Theelens' 'Theilens', and 'Theilings'.

Historically, Theelen has been known to be used interchangeably with other similar Dutch surnames such as 'Deelen', 'Tielen', and 'Tiheelen', which are all derived from the Middle Dutch root 'Theel'.

An unusual 20th-century variant of Theelen is 'Theelenbrouwers', a combination of a patronymic suffix '-brouwer' combined with Theelen. This surname is a reference to Theelen's original occupation of 'brewer', which may have been adopted to differentiate members of the family from individuals with the same name.

Today, Theelen has been anglicised to the spelling 'Thelan', which is more commonly used in America. In Germany, the surname 'Dehlen' is likely derived from Theelen, as it is a contraction of the original Dutch spelling.

Theelen is a rare surname, but it is recorded in church documents, civil records, and other public sources on a limited basis. Interestingly enough, there are no known variant spellings for Theelen in the Netherlands today, indicating a sharp decline in its usage.

Famous people with the name Theelen

• Yvo Theelen: Yvo Theelen is a Belgian politician who has served as a Member of the European Parliament since 2019.
• Sylvia Theelen: Sylvia Theelen is a Dutch actress and singer, best known for her role on the Dutch TV show "Thijs & Sylvia".
• Reina Theelen: Reina Theelen is a Dutch musical theatre performer and singer, known for her roles in West End productions like "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", and "Matilda The Musical".
• Willem Theelen: Willem Theelen is a Dutch entrepreneur, best known as the founder and CEO of the popular Dutch financial services website BUX.
• Thomas Theelen: Thomas Theelen is a German former professional football player, most notably playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen in the late 1980s.
• Michaël Theelen: Michaël Theelen is a Dutch former professional football player, most notably playing for Sparta Rotterdam in the 1980s.
• Richard Theelen: Richard Theelen is a Dutch fashion designer, most known for his minimalist menswear brand RICHTHEL.
• Hans Theelen: Hans Theelen is a Dutch radio and TV presenter, known for hosting the popular Dutch series "De Vakantie van Hans".
• Milou Theelen: Milou Theelen is a Dutch singer-songwriter, best known for her songwriting contribution to the Dutch musical projects "Ruth Jacott & Jan Keizer" and "Moonshine".
• Cas Theelen: Cas Theelen is an Dutch film producer, best known for producing the films "The Stranger" and "Molenbeek".

Other surnames

Theele