Surname Theismann - Meaning and Origin
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Theismann: What does the surname Theismann mean?
The last name Theismann is of German origin and comes from the personal name Theiss or Theodiss, which is derived from the Germanic name Theudic. Initially, Theiss and Theodiss likely referred to the name of a god or a deity, likely Thor.
The name Theismann likely originated in the medieval period, which means “spearman” or “soldier of the spear” in old German. It could also mean “people of the land” due to the early reference in regards to a lord of the manor or a local leader.
The last name Theismann began to appear in historical records in the 1500s in southern Germany and the Palatine region, largely in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.
Today, Theismann is most commonly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Its place in German culture and Naming Practices is demonstrated by its popularity in the German states, which has resulted in its common use not only in Germany, but also in other German-speaking countries. Popularity in Germanic regions has led to Theismann being adopted internationally, with people now bearing the name not only in the original countries in which it appeared, but also worldwide.
Theismann is most famously associated with former American football quarterback Joe Theismann, who won the Super Bowl in 1983.
Order DNA origin analysisTheismann: Where does the name Theismann come from?
The last name Theismann is most commonly found in the United States today, where it originated. There is a high concentration of individuals with the last name Theismann in the Midwest, particularly Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. It's also found throughout the greater Ohio River Valley region, namely Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Theismann is a German surname, taken from the Middle High German word “Theisman,” which referred to a public official. It’s thought that the original surname-holders were quite publicly visible figures within a medieval society, and thus earned the name for their high profile roles.
Outside of the U.S., Theismann is also found in Europe, especially Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In recent years, immigrants from countries in Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines, have also been responsible for spreading Theismann’s surname further around the globe.
Generally speaking, it’s estimated that there are tens of thousands of individuals with the Theismann surname around the world today. Most of these are situated in the United States, due to a combination of early immigration and consequently strong genealogical roots in that country.
Variations of the surname Theismann
Theismann is a popular German surname derived from the German word ‘Theis’, which means ‘a knight’. The surname is most commonly found in Germany, despite having common variants spelling variations that are found in other countries.
Common variants of the Theismann surname include Teismann, Teissmann, Teussmann, Tesman, Tiesmann, Teis, Teiss, Teuss, Tesmann, Theisman, Theissman, Theissmann, Theesman, Thies, Thiess, Thiesmann, and Thiemann. The name sometimes ends with a ‘n’ or can have a double ‘s’ instead of the single ‘s’, such as Theissen or Theissmann.
In some cases, the surname is spelled with a ‘d’, such as Theisdmann, Theisdman, Theisdmann, Teisdmann, Teisdman, Teisdmann, Detismann, Theisdman, Theisdmann, Detisman, and Detismann.
In addition to these common variants, the surname can also be spelled with a ‘t’ rather than a ‘d’, such as Theitsmann, Theitsman, Theistmann, Theistman, Teitsmann, Teitsman, Teistmann, Teistman and Teitmann.
In Americanized versions of the name, it can be found as Tesman, Thiesman, Thieman and Theisman. There are also some cases where people have chosen to simply drop the ‘mann’ and use ‘Theis’ on its own.
The origins of Theismann go back to the Middle Ages when Germany was forming a nation and its surnames were becoming fixed. It is still a common name in German-speaking countries today, as well as in many other countries, and is likely to continue to be a part of the Germanic identity for generations to come.
Famous people with the name Theismann
- Joe Theismann: former professional American football quarterback and sportscaster. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame and was drafted in 1971 by the Miami Dolphins. Regarding the Washington Redskins, Theismann spent 12 seasons as the team's starting quarterback and led the team to two Super Bowls, the first in 1982 and the second in 1983, which ended in defeat. He retired from football in 1985 due to an injury-induced career-ending tackle.
- Rillieux Theismann: former American professional basketball player. He played three seasons in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1967 to 1970. Theismann was the first draft pick of the Warriors and played a total of 135 games in his career.
- Shawn Theismann: former professional soccer player. He played forward for various teams, including the New York Red Bulls, Miami Fusion and D.C. United. Theismann is a two-time Soccer Bowl champion, having won with the Fusion in 1996 and with D.C. United in 2004.
- Michael Theismann: former professional basketball player. He played in the NBA from 1985 to 1992 for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks. He is currently a scout for the 76ers and holds the distinction of being the second European-born player to play in the NBA.
- Kyle Theismann: musician and singer-songwriter. He is the son of Joe Theismann and has released several albums over the past few years. He is known for his upbeat songs about life and relationships.