Surname Theis - Meaning and Origin
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Theis: What does the surname Theis mean?
The last name Theis is a German surname of regional origin, likely taken from the German word “de Theis” and its regional variant, “Theiss”. This name originally referred to a person who worked in a river or marshland area (“theiss”), often with a patronymic reference such as “van Theis” or “von Theis”. It is also thought to have come from a form of the personal name Theodoric, meaning “people ruler” or “ruler of the people”.
Theis was very common in Bavaria and other German-speaking areas in the Middle Ages, and the area around the town of Theisville (modern-day Theiss, Austria) was likely the source of the name. It is generally thought to be a relatively rare last name, with an estimated 33,000 people sharing the name around the world. It is most common in Germany, followed by Austria, the United States, Switzerland and other countries.
Theis is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today, but it is also gaining in popularity as a surname in other countries like the United States and Canada, as more and more of German descent are seeking to reclaim their heritage. It is also seen as an especially strong and proud name, associated with its German roots as well as a reminder of ambition, strength and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisTheis: Where does the name Theis come from?
The last name Theis is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the southern states such as Bavaria and Thuringia. In the United States, it is the 68th most common surname overall, with the state of Minnesota having one of the denser populations of Theis’s. It is also particularly common in Australia, where it is the 481st most common, Canada (1597th most common), and New Zealand (1015th most common).
Theis is originally derived from the German word “thei” which means “popular” or “beloved.” It is often thought to have been a nickname for someone in the Middle Ages who demonstrated many admirable qualities or was popular in their community. It is possible the surname could have developed from the Middle High German “deise,” meaning “celebrity.”
Theis is considered to be an occupational surname, derived from the archaic Germanic word ‘thaiwa’, which meant “dyer.” It is also possible that it may have been adopted during a period of migration from Germany past French-speaking areas, as “Theis” is a common spelling in France.
People with the last name Theis are found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Denmark. In Germany, many Theis’s are descended Johann Theis__ who emigrated to Wisconsin in the 1800s.
Overall, the last name Theis is quite common today, with people being found in many different countries. Its origins demonstrate the various ways in which it could have developed over time.
Variations of the surname Theis
Theis is an ancient name that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic word 'teiz' which means 'people of the people'. Theis can also be spelled as Teis, Theiss, Tice, Ties, Tees, Teys and Theissen. It is a name that is common in the countries of Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the United States.
Variations of Theis also include Thies, Deyse, Tys, and Deise. It is also spelled as Teyssen, Theysen, Teysen and Thijs. Teis is the most common spelling found in Germany and Austria, while Theiss and Theissen are both common in the Netherlands. In Scandinavia, the name is usually spelled as Tice or Ties. The spellings Teys and Tees are also found in some places.
Surnames derived from Theis include Deis, Theisen, Theissen, Theysen, Deppert, Thijsen, and Thyssen. Numerous variations exist depending on the country and culture where the name originated from.
In America, the main surnames are derived from Theis and its variations, such as Theiss, Theissen and Theysen. There are also variations of Theis such as Teis, Thees, Theissen, Teyssen and Theysen. The main difference between the American and European versions is in the spelling. In America, the name is usually spelled as Theiss with two 's' at the end, instead of Theis with one 's'.
Famous people with the name Theis
- Mathias Theis: Former professional football player from Germany.
- Bo Theis: Danish sculptor, known for his bronze works.
- David Theis: United States Marine and Medal of Honor recipient.
- Kasper Theis: Professional football player from Denmark.
- Robert Theis: Professional golfer from the United States.
- Christopher Theis: American former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Lukas Theis: German handball player for Bergischer HC.
- Mark Theis: American musician, composer, and sound engineer.
- Jess Theis: American politician from the state of Minnesota.
- Daniel Theis: German professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics.
- Jean Theis: French former professional footballer.
- Barbara Theis: American former freestyle swimmer.
- Evert Theis: American businessman and entrepreneur.
- Friedemann Theis: German athlete who specializes in the steeplechase.
- Ryan Theis: American former football and soccer player.
- Marius Theis: German fashion designer and creator of BlackDuck.
- Alexander Theis: German professional ice hockey player.
- Georg Adam Theis: German lawyer and law professor.
- Hans Theis: German figure skater, who competed in pair skating.
- Alfred Theis: German politician, agricultural counselor, and journalist.