Surname Theisen - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling the Unsuspected: An iGENEA DNA analysis Tracing the Surprising Journey of the Theisen Lineage
I decided to have my DNA tested by iGENEA, setting out to unearth the history of my lineage tracing back to my surname, Theisen. The path was full of surprises, spanning from the Middle East to Europe, shedding light on a diverse ancestry. Uncovering a tale of migration, trade, survival, and resilience, it provided not only an insight into my bloodline but also a deeper understanding of human history at large.
P. Theisen
read moreTheisen: What does the surname Theisen mean?
The last name Theisen is a German surname derived from the German word Theis, meaning detainee or thief. It is also a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the given name of the father, usually by adding an “-sen” suffix.
The meaning behind the last name is likely related to the Old High German word, “Theis,” which was used to refer to robbers and thieves in the feudal Germanic courts. It is quite possible that the last name Theisen is derived from the occupation of thievery during that time period.
A more modern interpretation of the last name is that it could refer to a specific village or piece of land in Germany. The area, known as “Theisenheimen,” was located in the Palatinate region, which is in the west-southwestern part of Germany. This village was first recorded in the 16th century and it is likely that the last name Theisen is derived from that place.
Theisen also appears as a surname in the United States, indicating that the name has been carried over by German immigrants. In general, it is believed to be a fairly common surname, suggesting that it is not exclusive to one particular region, although it does appear to be more widely-used in Germany and in areas where German immigrants settled.
The last name Theisen is an interesting one and it has a long history, spanning centuries and cultures. It is most likely derived from a profession or a village, reflecting the international story of the German people in past centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisTheisen: Where does the name Theisen come from?
Theisen is an uncommon German surname originating from the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in the area of Westphalia, which is the area between the Rhine River and the Weser River in northwest Germany. Today, it is still common in that area, as well as in the bordering countries of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Theisen is also a fairly common surname in the United States, primarily in families with German or Dutch ancestry. In the U.S. it is most often seen in the Midwestern states, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri.
Other countries where the surname Theisen appears to be particularly common include Canada, Australia, Italy, and Austria. In recent years, it has also featured more often in the Russian Federation, Romania, and France. Although it is relatively uncommon, Theisen is a widely dispersed surname, likely due to German emigration during the 1800s and 1900s.
Overall, today Theisen is concentrated primarily in certain parts of Germany and around the Rhine-Weser area, as well as in the United States and Canada. It can also be found in other countries, particularly those with Germanic ancestry.
Variations of the surname Theisen
The surname Theisen is an occupational variant of the name Tissen, which is a German name describing someone who either worked in or owned a cloth store. It can also be spelled Tiesen or Tießen. Variants of Theisen include Thaysen, Thaisen, Tisan, and Thießen.
Theisen is a common German name, and can be found spelled with minor variations across Europe. In Denmark, it is spelt Thiesen, and in both Belgium and the Netherlands, it is Thijssen. In Switzerland, it can be spelt Thysen.
The spelling and variations also depend on geographical location. In some parts of Germany, such as Bavaria, the spelling may be given as Daisen. In other areas the same surname may be spelled Teisen or Deisen. Similarly in Luxembourg the spelling may be given as Deisen.
Variations and variants of Theisen can also arise through differing family branches, or can even arise through emigration. For example, Thiesen may be derived when a branch of the family moved to the Midwest United States and adopted a local dialect or way of pronunciation.
In addition to these variations, there are also surnames that may upon first glance appear to be related to Theisen, but are, in fact, completely different names with different origins. This includes the surname Teizon, which is a name of Italian origin (from the Latin Civitas Aretoncsis) and the Spanish surname Thirston, which is derived from the given name Diego. Additionally, the surname Tereshon is a variant of the Jewish name Tereschkowsky.
Famous people with the name Theisen
- Jen Theisen: former collegiate track and field and cross country athlete for the University of Iowa
- Konrad Theisen: German modern pentathlete, winner of the gold medal in the modern pentathlon at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich
- Jeff Theisen: American professional baseball player who played in the Atlanta Braves organization
- Helena Theisen: German television actress
- Dave Theisen: former American football coach who served as the head football coach at the University of Georgia from 1967 to 1970
- Chip Theisen: American sportscaster and broadcaster
- Jessica Theisen: American professional golfer on the LPGA Tour
- Walter Theisen: German jazz guitarist
- Jerry Theisen: former American football player in the National Football League
- Mike Theisen: former professional ice hockey player