Show ContentsTenhet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German name Tenhet, was formed from the given name Steffen, which comes from the Greek "Stephanos," meaning "crown." Versions of this name are numerous throughout Christian Europe due to the martyr St. Steven.

Early Origins of the Tenhet family

The surname Tenhet was first found in Prussia, where the name gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging feudal society that would shape Europe. It later became more prominent as many branches of the house migrated and acquired foreign estates, some in such distant lands as Utrecht in Holland. Members of this family constantly improved their social status through their great contributions to society.

Early History of the Tenhet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tenhet research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1616, 1773, 1811, 1832, 1842, 1845 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Tenhet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tenhet 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 Tenhet include Steffens, Stefens, Steven, Stefan, Steffan, Steffe, Steffen, Stephan, Stoffen, Steffl, Steffensen, Stephansen, Stilfens, Stilphen, Stilphens and many more.

Early Notables of the Tenhet family

Notable figures of the time with the name Tenhet were Johann Steffens (1560-1616), a German composer, who wrote German madrigals and dance-songs, as well as sacred and instrumental pieces. Also notable was Henrik Steffens (1773-1845), a German author-philosopher of Norwegian extraction, who moved to Germany after his controversial...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tenhet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tenhet family

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Tenhets to arrive in North America, and among them were: Johan Stefen, who sailed to New York in 1660; J. Steffen arrived in New York in 1709; Johan Jacob Stefan came to Pennsylvania in 1738; Adam Steffan arrived in Pennsylvania in 1750.


Contemporary Notables of the name Tenhet (post 1700) +

  • Colonel Robert Tenhet, American physician, 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas (2007-2010)


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