Surname Theilig - Meaning and Origin

Theilig: What does the surname Theilig mean?

Theilig is a surname of Germanic origin, derived from a given name. Theilig is thought to be derived from the Germanic name Thilo, which is a short form of the name Diethelm meaning ‘people’s helmet’. The surname Theilig is most commonly found in northern Germany, particularly in the area of Oldenburg and Hamburg, where it is thought to have been originally used in the medieval period.

Theilig is still a common surname in Germany today, but is also frequently found in parts of the United States, Canada and other nations around the world, due to population migration in the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to the original German form, various spelling variants are found, such as Theiling, Teiling, Thiling and Thieling.

Theilig is an interesting Germanic surname which carries a connection to Medieval Germany and a reminder of the influence of this period in Europe. It is also a reminder of the far-reaching implications of population movements in the 19th and 20th centuries, from Europe to the Americas and other parts of the world.

Theilig: Where does the name Theilig come from?

Theilig is a German last name most commonly found in southern Germany, particularly Bavaria, where it is most numerous. The name is also common in Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. Additionally, Theilig can be found scattered across the United States and other countries that have significant German ancestry among their populations, including Canada, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the United States, several states have relatively high numbers of Theilig households. These include Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon, Wyoming, and Minnesota. Moreover, the name is still relatively common in the Midwest, with Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska also having relatively high numbers of Theilig households.

The original spelling of the name is believed to be Thielig, and the origins of this name are uncertain. Some sources suggest that the name may derive from the German word “theil”, which implies “part” or “share”. Other sources, however, believe that the name could come from the name of localities near Leipzig, Germany named Thielig and Thielersdorf. The spelling of the name could also have been changed over the years for easier pronunciation or other reasons.

Theilig is a relatively common surname today. Although it has spread to many different corners of the world, its origins remain uncertain and the various spellings of the name continue to line up in many family trees.

Variations of the surname Theilig

Theilig​ is an uncommon German surname derived from the given name ‘Theo’ or ‘Theodor’, which is the German form of Theodore. Theilig is believed to be a patronymic surname, meaning that it was derived from the father’s given name.

Variants of the surname include Teilig, Teylig, Theileg, Theilieg, Theillig, Theylig, and Thielig.

Common spellings of Theilig include Thalig, Tealig, Thaileg, Thailieg, Thailig, Thaylig, and Thieleg.

In addition to the variants and spellings of the surname Theilig, many other closely related surnames exist. These include similar sounding surnames such as Teleg, Talig, Tailig, Teyliger, Thielker, Thielkell, and Theiling.

Furthermore, several Dutch variants of Theilig exist, including Teeling, Thielen, and Thielemans. Other names that are of the same origin include Theiler, Tielke, Teilker, Theilken, and Thial.

Overall, Theilig is an uncommon German surname with several variants, spellings, and closely related surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Theilig

• Ursela Theilig: German actor, well known in her home country for her comedic roles in television and films
• Helen Theilig: American soprano singer who performed in concerts and operas throughout Europe in the 1950s
• Eric Theilig: American visual artist and sculptor who is particularly well-known for his public art installations
• Martin Theilig: German author and historian who has written numerous books, articles and essays on German history
• Franz Theilig: Austrian composer who wrote over two dozen operas and numerous works for the stage
• Rudolf Theilig: German engineer and inventor who patented more than 390 inventions in his lifetime
• Ludwig Theilig: Swiss architect who was known for illustrating many international buildings
• Friedrich Theilig: German literary critic and translator who played a significant role in the development of modern German literature

Other surnames

TheilTheilackerTheileTheilemannTheilenTheilingTheilkemeierTheilkenTheilmann