Surname Tönissen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Tönissen: What does the surname Tönissen mean?
The last name Tönissen is a German patronymic surname derived from the male given name Tön or Tönne, a Low German variation of Anton. The name meant ‘beyond noble’ or ‘priceless’, indicating a person who was highly esteemed and respected. This can be seen in the coat of arms of the Tönissen family, which featured a griffin, a mythical beast with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. This noble creature was chosen to represent the family’s high esteem in the local region.
Early records of the surname Tönissen date back to the early 16th century and the family was first found in the northern German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Over the centuries, the Tönissen family sought to establish themselves in various parts of Europe, earning the Tönissen name a place of honour in various regions. For instance, the Tönissen family settled in the Netherlands and Danish regions in the 1600s and the 1700s.
Today, the Tönissen surname is one of distinction and respect, representing the strong will and faith of its members. Despite coming from humble beginnings, the Tönissen family has established itself as a household name, with branches of the family now found all over the world. The Tönissen name is an enduring legacy, standing testament to the strength of its ancestors and their commitment to making the world a better place.
Order DNA origin analysisTönissen: Where does the name Tönissen come from?
The last name Tönissen is most commonly associated with the German speaking world, and in particular the countries of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Regions with a particularly high concentration of people bearing this last name include the Rhineland region of Germany, as well as the villages of Stetten and Bacharach in Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate district.
The largest pockets of people with the Tönissen surname are found in Germany, where it is the 8,801st most popular last name. In Switzerland, it is the 13,774th most common name, while in Austria, it is the 30,194th most common name according to 2019 census data.
The Tönissen name is most commonly found in areas of formerly Duchy of Berg or Rhine Province. Records in the Rhineland region date as far back as the 15th century, and in that time, the region was under the authority of the House of Berg.
The Tönissen name is known to have been passed down through many generations since that time, and today it is well established in those areas where the House of Berg once held authority. Beyond these immediate areas, the name can be found in other areas of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria as well as other German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Tönissen
The surname Tönissen has several variants in spelling and usage. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, the surname is often spelled as Tönnesen. Similarly, in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking countries, the surname is often spelled as Tonnaisen. In the United States, the surname is often spelled as Tonnessen.
Variants of the surname are also found in other languages and countries, often with slight modifications to the spelling. In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, the surname is often spelled as Tönnisen, while in France and other French-speaking countries, the surname is often spelled as Tönisseau. In Spanish and other Spanish-speaking countries, the surname is often spelled as Tonisen.
In addition to its variants in spelling, the surname Tönissen also has several surnames that have the same origin. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, the surnames Tönnies and Tönies are derived from the surname Tönissen. Similarly, in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking countries, the surnames Tonneijs and Tonneis are derived from the surname Tonnaisen.
In the United States, the surnames Tonnesen, Tonnessen, and Tonset are derived from the surname Tonnessen. Variants of the surname in other languages and countries, such as Sweden and France, are often derived from the native language equivalent of the name, such as Tönnis and Tönisseau, respectively.
Overall, the surname Tönissen can be found in many different spellings, variants, and languages and has several related surnames that have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Tönissen
- Philipp Tönissen: German freestyle skier.
- Thomas Tönissen: German football player.
- Christopher Tönissen: Austrian slalom canoeist.
- Stefan Tönissen: German bobsleigh pilot.
- Lou Tönissen: German handball player.
- Kerstin Tönissen: German cyclist.
- Paul Tönissen: German mountaineer and mountain climber.
- Angelika Tönissen: German lawyer and justice at the Federal Court of Justice of Germany.
- Holger Tönissen: German volleyball player.
- Hannes Tönissen: German track and field athlete.
- Friederike Tönissen: German tennis player.
- Johannes Tönissen: German business consultant.
- Heinz Tönissen: German Anglican bishop.
- Nicholas Tönissen: German footballer.
- Ernst-Dieter Tönissen: German Roman Catholic priest, archbishop and cardinal.