Surname Tönjes - Meaning and Origin
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Tönjes: What does the surname Tönjes mean?
The last name Tönjes is a common German surname meaning "son of Tony". The surname is mostly found in northwestern Germany, particularly in the state of Lower Saxony. It is believed to have been introduced to the area in the Early Middle Ages from the Netherlands, as the name Tony is Latin in origin, and was popular among the upper class in that region at the time.
The name Tönjes is derived from the name Antonius, which is a Latin derivative of Anthony. The name Tony is thought to derive from an Etruscan form of the name Anthonius, which itself comes from an old Greek name meaning “invaluable”. It is assumed that the last name was adopted in the Middle Ages as a way of indicating that somebody was the offspring of an Antonius or Tony.
The Tönjes name has also been found throughout neighboring Scandinavian countries. This can be attributed to the great numbers of Germanic peoples that emigrated to these countries in search of employment and a better life. It is believed that the surname was adapted to fit in with the language of these countries and that many of the families bearing the Tönjes name still remain in this region.
Despite its Germanic roots, the Tönjes family name can be found all over the world today, with many descendants in the United States, Canada and Australia. There are also many famous people with the surname Tönjes who have achieved success in a variety of fields, ranging from music to sports.
Overall, the name Tönjes is a very ancient and recognizable German surname with roots that span back through multiple centuries. It is a testament to the German legacy of a long and varied history and is found in many countries.
Order DNA origin analysisTönjes: Where does the name Tönjes come from?
The last name Tönjes is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German surname which has its roots in medieval Germany, derived from the word “tönnen” meaning 'to thresh', which is derived from an old Germanic word and the suffix “jes” which usually indicated a patronymic family. It is likely to have been brought to Germany by the Franks, who settled in present day Germany during the middle ages.
In Germany today, the last name Tönjes is mostly found in the Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia regions. It is also found in the North-eastern part of the country, Bavaria and Hamburg. In addition, Tönjes can be found throughout other parts of Germany, primarily in the states where the Franks were settled.
In addition, Tönjes is found in countries all over Europe, with the highest concentrations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Poland. It is also commonly found in Canada, the United States, and even Australia, after migration in the early 20th century.
Today, the last name Tönjes is generally found in mostly Western Europe, North America and some areas in the Pacific. The surname is still very popular in certain areas of Germany and is also seen in various parts of the globe where German immigrants have relocated. In addition, the name is used in many countries outside of Europe, where it is seen as a unique and identifiable surname.
Variations of the surname Tönjes
The Tönjes surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Toenjes, Toenje, Toenjess, Tönnies, Tonjes, Toenies, Toenes, Tönies, Thönjes, Tuenjes, Thönies, and Thoenies.
The Tönjes surname is of German origin and has its roots in the name "Tönnies." This name is derived from the Germanic word "tun," which means "town." The name is typically found in East Friesland and later migrated to Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.
In East Friesland, the Tönjes surname is also found spelled as Toenje, Tuenjes, Thönjes, and Toenies. This variant is derived from the Germanic words for territory, and may have referred to a person who was associated with a certain area or region.
The variant spelled Tönnies is found as a patronymic or metronymic name, which means it is derived from the father's or mother's name. In this case, the variant is derived from the Germanic name "Tun," which is a nickname for a person associated with a small town or village.
The variant spelled Thönjes is found primarily in Germany and has its origins in the noun "Thön," which means "cushion" or "padding." This variant may have referred to someone who was associated with the production of padding or cushions.
Finally, the Toenjess variant is found is typically found in The Netherlands and derives from the Old Germanic name "Tun," which means "town." This variant may refer to someone who was associated with the town of Tönjes or the small municipality of Tönjes.
Famous people with the name Tönjes
- Inigo Tönjes: Spanish actor, basketball player, director, and producer.
- Eugen Tönjes: German judge and politician.
- Lenz Tönjes: German-born American photographer.
- Regine Tönjes: German actress and television host.
- Charlotte Tönjes: German actress, film producer and scriptwriter.
- Erich Tönjes: German automobilist, racing driver, and entrepreneur.
- Bernd Tönjes: German sculptor, academic, and theater professor.
- Hans-Henning Tönjes: German lawyer, and politician.
- Martin Tönjes: German composer and organist.
- Ilse Tönjes: German author and freestyle swimmer.
- Bettina Tönjes: German athlete and Olympic competitor.
- Asmus Tönjes: German actor and theater director.
- Leonard Tönjes: German cyclist and racing car driver.
- Chris Tönjes: German artist and theatre educator.
- Sarah-Justin Tönjes: German swimmer and Paralympic athlete.
- Laura Tönjes: German para-swimmer and paralympian.
- Richard Tönjes: German theater actor and director.
- Klaus Tönjes: German Olympic fencer.
- Thomas Tönjes: German painter and illustrator.
- Alfred Tönjes: German Social Democrat politician.