Surname Thevissen - Meaning and Origin
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Thevissen: What does the surname Thevissen mean?
The last name Thevissen (pronounced ‘theh-vees-en’) is of Dutch-German origin, derived from the Old Dutch word ‘theves’, meaning thief or bandit. It was originally used as a surname for people who were suspected of or believed to be involved in criminal activities, or were seen to possess traits associated with criminal behaviour, such as dishonesty and deceitfulness.
However, like many surnames, it has taken on new meanings over time, providing a variety of interpretations. For instance, in modern German its variants are used as a joyful moniker for someone who is mischievous or lively, despite its original use as a derogatory term.
Thevissen is also the name of a small Dutch village, situated near the city of Venlo, which may have adopted the surname after hosting or having a large population of Thevissen families. As such, in many places the surname is commonly used as an alternative name or nickname for someone born in Venlo.
Despite its potentially negative connotations, Thevissen is now a fairly widespread surname in Dutch-speaking countries. In addition, due to its interesting history and its evolving interpretations over time, it has a unique and sometimes intriguing resonance.
Order DNA origin analysisThevissen: Where does the name Thevissen come from?
Thevissen is an uncommon surname today, though records indicate it is a Dutch name. It is most often found in the small towns and villages of southeast Netherlands, mainly in the provinces of Gelderland, Overijssel, and Drenthe.
Thevissen is thought to have originated in these regions in the late 17th century to early 18th century. The family can be traced back to Jacob Hendrick Thevissen, who was listed in a marriage registry in the province of Overijssel in 1670.
The popularity of the surname Thevissen has gradually decreased, with fewer than 500 people bearing it in 2020. Thevissen families were known for having large sizes, but with increased mobility across the country, the name is spread thinly across the Netherlands.
Modern sources suggest that much of the population of Thevissen has descendants who have relocated abroad, resulting in a more concentrated population of Thevissen families living in places like Canada, USA and Australia.
Thevissen is believed to be derived from the Old Dutch term ‘Thevesijn’, meaning the son of Theve or Theffxen, which in turn means thief in Middle Dutch. It is thought that the original Thevissen family were a family of thieves by trade.
Thevissen is a unique surname, not especially common in the Netherlands today, yet curious in its history and the mystery of its origins.
Variations of the surname Thevissen
Thevsin, Thevsing, Thevens, Tevissen, DeVisser, DeVissers, DeVries and De Vries are all variants, spellings and surnames associated with the same origin as Thevissen.
Thevissen is a Dutch patronymic surname, originated from a short form of the personal name “Theofilus”. The surname dates back to the early days of the Dutch Republic when it was first recorded. This lends to a variety of different spellings and surnames associated with the same origin.
Thevsin is the least common, possibly associated with the variation used in the Greek Orthodox Church. Thevsing and Thevens likely originated as nicknames for someone called “Theofilus”.
Tevissen is the most common spelling of this surname, and it has roots in a shortened version of the same personal name. It may also be a variation of the Dutch word “toevissen”, which means “to dam up”.
DeVisser and DeVissers are also related and may have been used as occupational names for people who were fishery supervisors.
Finally, DeVries and De Vries worked their way into the various spellings due to their similar pronunciations and slight differences in spelling. This surname likely originates from the Dutch word “d'Vriese”, which translates to “The Frisian” and was originally a mainly Dutch and northern Germanic personal name.
Famous people with the name Thevissen
- Lieven Thevissen, Belgian professional football player
- Liesbeth Thevissen, Belgian professional squash player
- Jo Thevissen, Dutch actress
- Bart Thevissen, Belgian professional football player
- Reinier Thevissen, Dutch footballer
- Tim Thevissen, Dutch rock singer
- Frank Thevissen, Dutch army officer
- Jurgen Thevissen, Belgian sculptor
- Ludo Thevissen, Belgian-Flemish TV actor
- Gert Thevissen, Belgian historian
- Marcel Thevissen, Belgian footballer
- Didier Thevissen, Belgian actor and comedian
- Lars Thevissen, Belgian professional snowboarder
- Kenneth Thevissen, former Dutch artistic gymnast
- Pascal Thevissen, Belgian professional cyclist
- Jean-Marie Thevissen, Belgian painter and polymath
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Thevissen"
30.07.2024
This page is a load of crap. There is no village named Thevissen near Venlo. The named areas are all incorrect, the origin of the name is incorrect, the Dutch translations are incorrect, words do not even exist. Sorry to have spend my time on bollocks.