Theunissen History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe German surname Theunissen originated as a short form of the Roman name Antonius (the English Anthony.) It is the name of two major Christian saints, St. Anthony (ca.250-350,) who was the father of Christian monasticism, and Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), the Franciscan monk, who became the patron saint of Padua and Portugal. In granting their children holy names, medieval parents sought to reaffirm their Christian beliefs and to secure protection from the namesake. The name Tönsing is a Low German diminutive of the name Antonius, and Tönnies is a short form, as in Tönnies Alberdes, recorded in Lippe in 1571. Other German variants include Don, Ton, Thon and Dohn. The surname Theunissen, thus, comes about as a patronymic, a surname derived from the personal name of the father. Early Origins of the Theunissen familyThe surname Theunissen was first found in Westphalia and the Lower Rhineland, where the name Theunissen emerged in medieval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. The earliest mentions of the surname are Heinz Ton, who was recorded in Immenstaad in 1423, and Johann Tonsing, who was recorded in the area of Osnabröck in 1649. Early History of the Theunissen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Theunissen research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Theunissen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Theunissen Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Tönnies, Tönies, Töns, Tönniges, Toenniges, Tuns, Tönsing, Tönsen, Tönnsen, Tönjes, Tönsmann, Tönsmeyer, Tönnissen, Thon, Thons, Thonissen and many more. Early Notables of the Theunissen familyMore information is included under the topic Early Theunissen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Theunissen RankingIn Netherlands, the name Theunissen is the 273rd most popular surname with an estimated 5,229 people with that name. 1 However, in South Africa, the name Theunissen is ranked the 826th most popular surname with an estimated 8,408 people with that name. 2
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Theunissen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
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