Surname Theiss - Meaning and Origin
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Theiss: What does the surname Theiss mean?
The last name Theiss is a German surname which dates back to the middle ages. The name is derived from the German word "theissen" or "deissen," which referred to an occupational term describing someone who was a tiler, or a roofer using flat tiles. Over time, this term shifted in meaning to describe a person who was an expert tile-setter or a roof inspector.
The surname Theiss is most commonly found in the German-speaking regions of Europe, and has spread over the centuries to other parts of the world. The most likely source of the surname is the Rhineland Palatinate region of southwest Germany, where the Theiss family is well-known.
The most distinctive characteristic of the Theiss surname is its phoneme, which many linguists consider emblematic of the sound system of the South German dialect. This phoneme also reflects a common pronunciation among other German-speaking peoples.
As a traditional German surname, Theiss can be found inscribed on the earliest records of German nobility. Perhaps the oldest written record of the surname is found in the 1272 document of the Noble Ties of Everstein, a collection of German and Dutch nobility. The name is also found in several ancient family trees and genealogies, such as the 1248573 Family Tree of the Von Nordheimer Family.
Overall, the last name Theiss has a rich and storied history. It can be traced to its Germanic roots, and has maintained its consistent phoneme over centuries of use in Europe and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisTheiss: Where does the name Theiss come from?
The last name Theiss is most commonly seen in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany and Austria. It is also found in parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, Norway, and the United States. Theiss is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Theodosius, meaning “God of Vengeance”. This was a common name among early Germanic peoples.
Theiss is a fairly popular surname in Germany, ranking as the 42nd most common surname in the country. In Austria, the name is even more popular, ranking as the 13th most common surname. The spelling may vary slightly, with Theissen, Teiss, and Teissen also seen.
In the United States, the name is much more rare, ranking as the 13,005th most common surname. Records show that it first appeared in the US in the late 19th century, when immigrants from Germany and Austria began settling in the country. Since then, the number of individuals bearing the name has gradually increased.
Today, Theiss is found all over the world. For those interested in tracing their family history, examining records from the areas noted above can provide clues about the origin and meaning of the name.
Variations of the surname Theiss
The surname Theiss is a spelling variation of the German surname Thies, which can also be seen spelled as Teiss, Thiess, the Thiessen, Thiesen, Thysen, Thijssen, Theisen, and Theysen. It is derived from the personal name Theiss, which is a pet form of thiet, meaning people or nation.
The variants of Theiss are commonly found in German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Austria. As a result, it has spread to other parts of the world with German emigrations, most notably North America, South Africa, Argentina, and Australia.
The widespread usage of the name Theiss is a testament to the popularity and greatness of the original bearer of the name. The original bearer of the surname Theiss may have been someone who was held in high status within the community. It is also likely that the original Theiss was considered a good leader and a inspirational figure to the people he led.
The spelling variations of Theiss are all considered German patronymic surnames. This means that the surname Theiss comes from the given name of one of the original bearer's ancestors. This ancestor was most likely a man, given that patronymic surnames typically reflect the given names of a male ancestor.
The variants of Theiss are not to be confused with one another, as each variation implies a different history and origin. All derived from Theiss, they are popular German surnames that trace back to a common ancestor. The spelling variations do not have any major impact on the meaning of the surname; if one is known to be of German origin, the surname Theiss will almost certainly be used in their family line.
Famous people with the name Theiss
- Brady Theiss: professional snowboarder from Mammoth Lakes, California.
- Jennifer Theiss: American voice actress and singer based in Los Angeles, California.
- Luke Theiss: former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Paul Theiss: former ice hockey player.
- Randy Theiss: lead guitarist for the rock band Slow Moses.
- Eric Theiss: renown celebrity chef.
- Cody Theiss: former professional flatwater kayaker.
- Hayley Theiss: disqualified professional snowboarder from Mammoth Mountain, California.
- Steven Theiss: former NFL player and Super Bowl champion.
- Kurt Beutler Theiss: former professional basketball player.
- Lola Theiss: American film and television actress.
- Pete Theiss: American morphologist and founder of Theiss Research.
- Sara Theiss: American biologist and professor at Northwestern University.
- Suzanna Theiss: renowned sculptor and performance artist based in Los Angeles.
- Zach Theiss: American musician and record producer.