Surname Thierolf - Meaning and Origin

Thierolf: What does the surname Thierolf mean?

The surname Thierolf is a German occupational surname derived from the word "thor", meaning "thief". This name was originally granted to individuals who were known to be proficient thieves, or who worked in thieving and pickpocketing professions. The name is also associated with a sense of tricky cunning, and craftiness.

Though this name has some negative connotations associated with it, it can also signify bravery and courage. This attribute was likely derived from the medieval German practice of using "thief" as a title and one of respect for those who risked their lives for the service of their feudal lords. Others simply possessed a great talent for stealing which they put to use in more honest and even heroic ways.

Generally, individuals gifted in the thieving arts were rewarded with land or money for their efforts in aiding their lord. Eventually, this name became a hereditary surname within these families, and thus it was passed down from one generation to another.

Today, the surname Thierolf is still quite popular in Germany and other parts of Europe. It serves as a reminder of the bravery and skill possessed by the ancestors who earned it as a title.

Thierolf: Where does the name Thierolf come from?

The last name Thierolf is most common in Germany today. According to genealogy websites, the Thierolf surname is particularly concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the country. In fact, the German Central Statistics Office found that Thierolf was the 339th most frequent surname in Germany in 2019.

The Thierolf name is primarily found in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Hesse, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Bavaria. Looks are concentrated where German settlement and people of German heritage are concentrated, such as in parts of southwestern Canada and the eastern United States.

Thierolfs are generally believed to be of German-Catholic descent, although the surname may have originally been of Uradel origin, or descended from German nobility. The Thierolf family coat of arms dates to the 14th century and features a black and white checkered pattern, with a cluster of three red roses.

With more than 21,000 living bearers of the surname, Thierolf is still an unmistakably German name. As well as within Germany, many bearers of this surname can also be found beyond its borders, including in the United States, Canada, and even Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Thierolf

The surname Thierolf is of German origin and is also found in the spelling variants Therolf and Thierolfs. An alternate spelling of Thierolf is Thieroff.

The Thierolf surname is derived from the Middle High German word 'dierof' which means 'peaceful' and is derived from a combination of the Old High German words 'dier' meaning 'peace' and 'wolf' meaning 'wolf'. The surname is thought to have originally belonged to someone who had a peaceful wolf as a symbol or emblem.

The Thierolfs were a prominent knightly family based in the German state of Thuringia. This family is mentioned in numerous German chronicles and records, with one member of the Thierolf family being knighted by King Pippin of Germany in the 9th century.

Variant spellings of the Thierolf surname include Thierolff, Thyrolff, Thieroff, Therolf and Thierolfs. As with the Thierolf surname, these are all derived from the Middle High German word 'dierof'.

Other surnames of the same origin include Thiess, Tiered and Dierolf. These spellings may sometimes found in records, although they are not connected to the Thierolf family.

Famous people with the name Thierolf

• Erich Thierolf: WWII Wehrmacht Major General and the recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
• Salomon Thierolf: German wood engraver and graphic artist.
• Nadine Thierolf: German TV presenter and fashion model.
• Oberstleutnant Fedor Thierolf: German World War II Luftwaffe general.
• Helmut Thierolf: German Painter and Graphic Artist.
• Charles Thierolf: American general from the United States Army.
• Robert Thierolf: German U-boat captain during World War II.
• Anne-Marie Thierolf: German figure skater.
• Max Thierolf: German trade unionist, politician and journalist.
• Stefan Thierolf: German professional footballer.
• Dieter Thierolf: German footballer and coach.
• Kai Thierolf: German footballer.
• Matthias Thierolf: German lightweight rower.
• Jürgen Thierolf: German film and theater composer and conductor.
• Christian Thierolf: Austrian footballer.
• Gert Thierolf: German actor.
• Andrej Thierolf: German actor.
• Matthäus Thierolf: German painter and architect from northern Germany.

Other surnames

Thieroff