Surname Thiebaux - Meaning and Origin

Thiebaux: What does the surname Thiebaux mean?

Thiebaux is a surname of French origin that has been traced back to the medieval times. It is derived from the Old French term "theif," which translates to "rob in secret" or "thief." This doesn't necessarily infer a negative connotation that the ancestors were thieves. Often during the middle ages, names were given based on a person's profession or characteristic traits. Thus, the surname could have been given to someone who was stealthy or cunning, and not necessarily a criminal. Alternatively, it could have been used to label a person in a profession requiring stealth or training similar to that of a thief, like a spy or scout. It's a relatively uncommon surname, and most of the people bearing this name today are found in the United States and France. Unique surnames like Thiebaux often indicate that your ancestors lived in ancient times and have given you their legacy in the form of family heritage, realized through this unique surname.

Thiebaux: Where does the name Thiebaux come from?

The last name Thiebaux is most commonly found in France today. It is an ancient French name, deriving from the ancient city of Thiebaud. The name is thought to have originated from the French words "Tibo," meaning force, and "aud," meaning brave. The first recorded use of the name Thiebaux is said to be from the village of Saint-Cirq-Madelon in the 13th century. During this time, the members of the Thiebaux family were known as merchants, millers, and farmers.

Today, the name Thiebaux can be found in both the north and south of France, although it is particularly common in the cities of Nice, Marseille, Lyon, and Paris. Outside of France, the name is also found in parts of the United States, Canada, and elsewhere in Europe.

In the United States, the spikes of popularity for the name Thiebaux occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, many French immigrants settled in the U.S. states of Louisiana and Mississippi. As a result, many Thiebauxs can be found in these states today.

The global population of the Thiebaux name is estimated to be around 10,000 people. It is likely that the majority of these people are descended from the same French family that dates back hundreds of years.

Variations of the surname Thiebaux

The surname Thiebaux is of French origin and can be seen in various forms and spellings, including Thibeaux, Thibeau, and Thibodaux. The Thiebaux variation, however, appears to be the most common. It is also sometimes seen as T.Baux, pronounced the same as 'Thiebaux'.

Due to the general influence of French culture in Louisiana, many American families have adopted the name, while others have possibly made it their own. Those who might have changed the name could have opted for alternate spelling variations, such as Teebaux or Tibaux, though these are not as common as Thiebaux.

Many variations of this name also exist in other countries. In Canada, for instance, it appears as Thibeault, Thibideau, and Thibodeau. In Spain it appears as Tibault and Tibaldo. Some French families may also take other variations of the same name, such as Thouebaut and Thouebaux.

Additionally, other distant relatives may use slightly different surnames deriving from the same source; among these are Thibou, Thibaut, Thibault, Thibaudeau, Thibaud, and Thibeault, though these are less common than Thiebaux.

No matter what variation of Thiebaux is used, the root remains the same and all can be traced back to the same origin.

Famous people with the name Thiebaux

• John Thiebaux: American journalist and magazine editor.
• Thomas Thiebaux: French historian and professor.
• Jean Thiebaux: French politician, was a member of the French National Assembly.
• Philippe Thiebaux: French lieutenant-general and Chief of the General Staff of the French Army.
• Joseph Thiebaux: 19th-century French sculptor.
• Philip Thiebaux: computer scientist and researcher in artificial intelligence, robotics, and logic programming.
• Arthur Thiebaux: French composer and organist.
• André Thiebaux: Belgian sculptor and medalist.
• Nardo Thiebaux: racing driver from Monaco who competed mainly in F2.
• Fernand Thiebaux: French entomologist who specialized in hymenopterology.

Other surnames

ThiebaudThiebaultThiebaut