Surname Thoennes - Meaning and Origin
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Thoennes: What does the surname Thoennes mean?
The surname Thoennes is of German origin and is believed to have originated from the Thuringian region in what is now central Germany. The name is thought to be derived from the Old German word “Thurna” meaning fortification, suggesting the Thoennes family may have once held a stronghold of some kind. The first known record of the Thoennes name can be found in the 1389 book, 'Jagdprotokolle', which lists the names of those passing through court proceedings of the time. Since then, the Thoennes surname has spread throughout the world, and it can now be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Australia.
The Thoennes surname is fairly rare; however, some members of the family have achieved success in various areas. There are several business owners, athletes, doctors and even government officials who carry the Thoennes name. Within the United States there is often an association with members of the family originating from the Midwest states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Missouri.
In general, the Thoennes family is a proud one; their strong German heritage and values often reflected in their daily lives. This sense of tradition and respect for their roots has allowed them to excel in many different areas, while at the same time preserving their identity and connection to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisThoennes: Where does the name Thoennes come from?
The last name Thoennes, which originates from German, is most common today in areas where Germanic languages such as German, Dutch, and Flemish are spoken. This includes countries such as Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is also quite common in certain parts of the United States, particularly in areas with large German-American populations such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. These American variations of the name sometimes change the spelling slightly, such as Thonnes, Thoenes, or Thoene.
The surname Thoennes is also prominent in Brazil, where a large number of German immigrants settled during the 19th century. As a result, there are now many Brazilian-born Thoennes with Germanic roots. In Brazil, the spelling of the name is usually adjusted slightly to fit the Portuguese language, with Thoennes becoming Thonnes, Thones, or Thoenes.
The Thoennes name has been around since the 17th century, with its first recorded appearance being a birth record from 1633 in the city of Hannover, Germany. Over time, it has spread across Europe and beyond, and has become an increasingly common surname.
Variations of the surname Thoennes
The surname Thoennes has various spellings and variants, including Thoennen, Thonnen, Thoens, Thunnes, Thune, Tounes, Tonies, and Tunnes.
Thoennes is primarily a German surname, deriving from the Middle High German word 'Tun', meaning 'fence' or 'enclosure'. This term was often used to describe those living in manors or working in vineyards, or farmers whose lands were enclosed. It can also be found in Dutch, Swiss, and Luxembourgish countries.
In the Netherlands, Tunisia is spelled 'Thoense', and Cutters and Plonkers are dialectal variants. In Germany, Thune is the most common variation, with Thonnes, Thoennes and Tunnes appearing in Northern regions.
In America, the variant has been changed to Thoennes, or sometimes Thunnes or Thones, such as in the 1868 census. Other families have reversed the spelling to 'Senneth', as often occurred with German immigrants.
The variants of Thoennes can show regional preference or even be family specific. However, all of them are originated from the same derivation of 'Tun', meaning 'fence' or 'enclosure'.
Famous people with the name Thoennes
- Ren Thoennes: A Canadian actor from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Donny Thoennes: A Brazilian professional basketball player who plays for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA.
- Robert Thoennes: An American retired basketball coach best known for being the head coach of the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball team from 2001 to 2006.
- Marv Thoennes: A retired American basketball player who played two seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Atlanta Hawks.
- Don Thoennes: An American politician who served in the Minnesota Senate from 1979 to 1988.
- Brian Thoennes: An American professional ice hockey goaltender who played professionally in North America and Germany.
- Fritz Thoennes: A former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from Dane County, Wisconsin.
- Paul Thoennes: An American college basketball coach who currently serves as an assistant coach of the McNeese State Cowboys.
- John Thoennes: An American basketball coach who most recently held the head coaching position at Bethel University in St. Paul.
- Jeff Thoennes: A former tight end for the Minnesota Vikings.