Surname Thielker - Meaning and Origin
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Thielker: What does the surname Thielker mean?
The last name Thielker has a German origin, likely derived from the German word "Thiel" meaning "valley" or "low lying meadow." It represents an area that was once near water, most likely near a river, and is derived from the Old Germanic term "Theil," meaning portion, division, or department.
The name Thielker would have been most commonly used as a surname among those living in high-water areas such as ditches, ponds or rivers, and it is also thought to refer to a person who originally owned or leased particular land. In the early days of Germany, these people were most likely farmers or villagers, living and working on land that was divided into plots or parcels for them to cultivate.
Thielker is a relatively uncommon name today but is especially prevalent in the state of Bavaria, where it was first used by the early German settlers. Although the exact meaning of the name is now largely unknown, it can still be used in Germany to show how generations of German families have lived, worked, and evolved over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisThielker: Where does the name Thielker come from?
The last name Thielker is found primarily in countries that speak Germanic languages such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is a relatively uncommon name outside of these countries, although the surname can be encountered in parts of the United States.
In Germany, the last name Thielker is most prevalent in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. High concentrations can be found in the cities of Lüdenscheid, Olpe, and Altena. It is also commonly found in Lesum, a river port located in the Lower Saxony region.
In Austria, it is primarily found in the Lower Austria province. Other concentrations of Thielkers are located in Styria and Vienna.
In the Netherlands, the name is especially concentrated in the south-western region of the country, particularly in the cities of Leeuwarden, Goes, Roosdaal, and Emmen.
In Switzerland, people with the last name Thielker are most commonly found in the city of Basel and in the Swiss canton of Valais.
In the United States, the surname Thielker is most common along the west coast in states such as California, Washington, and Oregon. It is relatively rare elsewhere.
Variations of the surname Thielker
The surname Thielker is derived from the German word for “woodworker.” Variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin include Thielke, Thieleke, Thielekere, Thiele, Diehl, and Diecaller.
Thielker is a Westphalian name, typically found in the German states of Bavaria, Hesse, Thuringia, and Lower Saxony. The surname likely began as an occupational name, indicating a man who made wooden products or worked as a carpenter. Bearers of the name likely emigrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century.
One of the first recorded uses of the name occurred in 1878, when Anna Thielker married into the Diehl family in Ohio. The 1900 U.S. Census lists Abe Thielker living in New York. Some immigrants anglicised their names upon arrival in the United States, resulting in spellings of Thieleke, Thielke, and Thiele among others.
In the earliest records, the names are sometimes spelled Thielchen or Thielgaard, suggesting an alternate origin of the surname derived from the German adjective “thiel,” which means “daring.” This could indicate that the first bearers of the name were brave or courageous.
Today, bearers of the Thielker name typically live in the United States, Germany, and other parts of northern Europe. The surname is also present in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Thielker
- Max Thielker: German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.
- Thorsten Thielker: German scientist and chairman of the Institute of Solid Mechanics, TU Darmstadt.
- Vivien Thielker: German filmmaker and photographer.
- Jonny Thielker: German actor and voice actor.
- Jens Thielker: German journalist, specialising in sport and culture journalism.
- Ulrich Thielker: German rower who won a bronze medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
- Ulla Thielker: German linguist and professor.
- Monika Thielker: German statistician, nuclear physicist and lecturer.
- Heinz Thielker: German actor and theatre director.
- Jakob Thielker: German physicist, professor, and Nobel prize-winning author.