Surname Toenisen - Meaning and Origin

Toenisen: What does the surname Toenisen mean?

The last name Toenisen is a Danish name, derived from the Middle Low German “toenis” meaning “son of Tonia or Antonia”. It was an occupational name and was passed down from father to son, with each generation taking a different form of “toenisen”. It was the name given to sons of (an) Antonia, or Tonia, primarily dating back to the late 16th century.

It is likely that the original bearer of the name was once a tenant farmer or a family of peasant farmers, taking on a name that was associated with a profession. “Toenisen” could also have identified someone who lived in a village or a district whose main feature was a hill, hillstream, or a steep slope.

The name is a very common one to this day and may be found in all parts of the world. It is found in countries beyond Denmark such as Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United States, and Canada.

Throughout history, many people with the name Toenisen have been influential in various fields. Notable figures include Albert Toenisen, a 19th century Danish sculptor; Eilert Toenisen, a German poet; and Jogom Toenisen, a Norwegian shipbuilder.

Today, there are likely hundreds of people with the last name Toenisen, all with unique stories to tell. And every family likely has their own history and understanding of the name Toenisen and the significance it has brought to their lives.

Toenisen: Where does the name Toenisen come from?

The last name Toenisen is most commonly found in Western Europe, particularly in the countries of Denmark, Norway, and Germany. It is also found in the Netherlands and the United States.

In Denmark, records show that the last name is found in various forms such as Tønnesen, Thønnisen, and even Tõnäsen. In Norway, the last name is found as Toneisen, Toeniseen, and even Thoenisen. In Germany, it is found in various spellings including Theunisen, Theuniesen, and Thonisen.

In the United States, the last name Toenisen is listed in the official records of the US Immigration and Naturalization Service in Ellis Island. Data from the US Census taken in 2000 shows that Toenisen was predominantly found in the states of California, Minnesota, Nevada, and Washington.

Based on a study of data from the US Census taken in the year 2020, the last name Toenisen is also found in the states of Indiana, Maryland, Utah, and Tennessee. It is most prevalent in states like California, Minnesota, and Washington with a higher concentration of people with Danish, Norwegian, and German origins.

Variations of the surname Toenisen

Toenisen is a surname of Germanic origin. Variants of the name include Toenissen, Toenissin, Tonisen, Theunisen, Tiemessen and Thonissen. Spellings from other languages based on the same root include Tauenizen, Dauneisen, Dauneysen and Daunisen.

The earliest record of the name is found in the chronicles of Holland from the late 18th century, where it appears spelled as Taeunissen. Records of similar forms of the name indicate at least two lines of the same family splitting around this time, one in Germany and one in the Netherlands.

The name has since spread differently depending on the region in which it has developed. For example, in Germany it can be found in the form of Thomas Dauneisen, while in the Netherlands it appears as Johannes Thoniszen. Similarly, in Scandinavia, the name can be found as Lars Toenissen, while in Poland it appears as Jan Tyemessen.

The meaning of the name is debated, with some attributing it to the Middle Dutch word "tennis", indicating a tenor vocalist, while others suggest that it is derived from "tonen", meaning to sound.

Today, the most common spelling of the surname in many regions is Toenisen. Variants of the name are rarely encountered, with the original forms mostly found among individuals with a more distant relation to the original lines of the family.

Famous people with the name Toenisen

• Kathy Toeniesen: Actress, known for her roles in television series such as “The Big Valley” and “Kojak.”
• Ben Toenisen: American Major League Baseball Player who played from 1994-2001 for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles.
• Norm Toenisen: Former American Football Player and head coach who played for the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs and coached for the Los Angeles Rams.
• Mark Toenisen: American motor racing driver who competed in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
• Joe Toenisen: Former professional hockey player who played in the National Hockey League from 1979-1994 with the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, and other teams.
• Angel Toenisen: American jazz guitarist and proprietor of the Profile Records jazz label.
• Tony Toenisen: Veteran of the United States Navy who served in the Vietnam War.
• Amy Toenisen: Voice actress and dubbing artist known for her work in “Mobile Suit Gundam Wing” and “Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles.”
• Tony Toenisen: Member of the roofing and insulation industries, and avid philanthropist who supported Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and other charities.
• Pete Toenisen: Public Relations and Marketing Professional who worked for several prominent organizations such as Burger King and the American International Group.

Other surnames

ToenisToenissen