Show ContentsThoren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Similar to many Austrian family names, the distinguished surname Thoren is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Austria were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Austrian and German patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century and the most common patronymic suffix is ez. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The name Thoren is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Thor, meaning thunder.

Early Origins of the Thoren family

The surname Thoren was first found in the province of Tyrol in Austria, where the name became identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would play a prominent role throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its participation in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Thoren family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thoren research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1165 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Thoren History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thoren Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Thoren include Thor, Thorer, Thoren, Thorn, Torr, Thorr, Thorre and many more.

Early Notables of the Thoren family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Thoren were

  • Theodor Thoren, a prominent and highly influential court advisor and director in Vienna who received his knighthood in 1755 for twenty three years of outstanding service


United States Thoren migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Thoren were

Thoren Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Romann Thoren, aged 35, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Thoren (post 1700) +

  • Everett J. Thoren, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Oregon 2nd District, 1964, 1966, 1970 2


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, August 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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